By The Aga Khan Trust for Culture
Herat, Afghanistan
and Glazed tile decoration in the courtyard of the Khwaja Abdulla Ansari Shrine, Gozargah (2010) by AKTC / Simon NorfolkThe Aga Khan Trust for Culture
As new buildings were commissioned by successive Timurid rulers, the use of color glazed tiles to create floral, geometric and calligraphic decoration on building elevations and on the exterior and interior of domes became prevalent.
Geometry Perfected
Some of the finest tile work of the time was produced in Herat using the moaraq (mosaic) technique, which entailed cutting single-color tiles into small shapes that were then used to produce intricate floral designs and patterns.
An Artform Revived
Plaster was used to bond the small pieces together, creating larger panels that were then applied to walls and curved surfaces such as squinches and domes.
Main iwan of the Khwaja Abdullah Ansari Shrine, Gozargah (2016) by AKTC / Simon NorfolkThe Aga Khan Trust for Culture
While many Timurid-era buildings were demolished in the 19th century, the fact that others continue to exist today, more than five centuries after they were built, reflects the superb quality and longevity of the monuments and their magnificent decorative tile surfaces.
Major Timurid monuments, such as the Masjid-e-Jami (main mosque) in Herat and the Blue Mosque in Mazar-e Sharif, included a tile-making workshop responsible for restoring and repairing the building’s tile decorations.
The Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) wishes to express its appreciation, first and foremost, to its staff and consultants for their tireless efforts and commitment towards preserving Afghanistan’s rich tangible and intangible cultural heritage.
In addition to resources provided directly by AKTC, the restoration of heritage sites shown in this exhibition were supported through financial contributions made by the Federal Republic of Germany, the Government of the United States and its Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation.
This online exhibition was made possible through the efforts of Theresa zu Leiningen, Mohammad Baqir Yaqubi and Dr. Arash Boostani.
