Typology of the Ornamentations of the Openings of the Historical City of Masouleh, a Case Study of Reyhane-bar Neighborhood

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 PhD Student in Architecture, Department of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tabriz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz

2 Professor, Department of Architecture and Urban Planning, Islamic Art University of Tabriz, Iran.

3 Associate Professor, Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, Department of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tabriz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran

4 Associate Professor of Carpet Department, Tabriz Islamic Art University, Iran.

10.22070/negareh.2022.16594.3084

Abstract

Masouleh is one of the few historical and habitable spaces in Iran, where the continuity of Iranian Islamic arts has been common for many centuries. Masouleh is located in the mountainous part of Fuman city with a thousand year old history. This historical city was registered as a national monument in 1944 and is currently being registered in the UNESCO World Organization. Masouleh’s architecture has a stepped structure and the houses are extroverted. Masouleh has six neighborhoods, Reyhane-bar, Asad-mohalleh, Keshe-sar, Khanebar, Masjed-bar and Bazaar. Reyhane-bar neighborhood is the main entrance to Masouleh and is located in the southern part of the city. The formation of Reyhane-bar neighborhood and its buildings is deep-rooted in the Zandiyeh- Pahlavi period. Reyhane-bar neighborhood has 50 residential units, of which 26 buildings have a historical structure and were examined in the current research. The Reyhane-bar neighborhood has a variety of latticed openings made of enclosing decorative patterns. The aim of the research is to recognize the types of openings and ornamentations in the Reyhane-bar neighborhood. The research questions are as follows: 1- In how many levels are the openings of the historical building of Reyhane-bar neighborhood classified? 2- What decorative patterns are used in the openings and what is the frequency of new to old patterns in the ornamentation of the openings of Reyhane-bar neighborhood? The research method is descriptive-analytical and the information collection method is documentary and field study. The results of the research show that the ornamentations of the openings of Reyhane-bar neighborhood have been implemented using three methods: Girih-tiling, Ghavarehbori and woodcarving. The openings of the Reyhane-bar neighborhood are classified in six levels: integrated openings, without Sarbarieh (opening above the window), inscribed openings without Sarbarieh, Sarbariehs without a border design (single), and inscribed Sarbariehs (single) and Orosi. This should also be noted that the Reyhane-bar neighborhood has the lowest number of Orosis in comparison with other neighborhoods and Orosis in the above-mentioned neighborhood are mainly observed in the economic constructions. A total of fifteen decorative patterns have been used in the openings of Reyhane-bar neighborhood, among which, 8-square Shamse girih patterns and Paisley Ghavarehbori are the most repeated patterns. Reyhane-bar neighborhood has 6 new patterns and 9 common (original) patterns in Masouleh. The results of the research show that 24% of the decorative arrays of the openings of the Reyhane-bar neighborhood was of new patterns and 76% of the original and common patterns in Masouleh neighborhoods. A noteworthy point in the construction of the ornamentation of the openings of the Reyhane-bar neighborhood is the common use of the Ghavarehbori method. Among the main reasons for the Ghavarehbori construction method in the decorations of the openings of the Reyhane-bar neighborhood, the following can be mentioned: Cost-effectiveness: The Ghavarehbori construction method is much more economical than the Girih-tiling method, but by implementing Ghavarehbori, more limited designs can be made in comparison with the Girih-tiling method. Ease of construction: Artists need to use soft wood to make Ghavarehbori ornamentations, and this causes less durability, more wear and tear, and a more unfavorable appearance in the building wall. For this reason, to solve the problems of corrosion and to prevent biological and environmental disintegration as well as turbidity of color, the residents are forced to use stabilizers and chemical colors that do not match the authentic and historical texture of Masouleh. The research results show that there are sixteen geometrical patterns in Reyhane-bar neighborhood. As already mentioned in the text, the ornamentations of Masouleh’s openings have been implemented in three forms: Girih-tiling, Ghavarehbori and woodcarving. Several researches have been recently conducted with regard to the subject of Masouleh, its neighborhoods, and the existing ornamentations of the openings of each of these neighborhoods due to the significance and importance of Masouleh, as one the few habitable historical places in Iran. This research and its results are only a small part of the wide and extensive topics that can be performed in the field of knowledge of traditional arts and how they work to meet the needs of users. In fact, it is possible to investigate the ornamentations of other places in Masouleh in future research, which would lead to the recognition and preservation of the architectural arrays of Masouleh.

Keywords


Azemati, H. Bagheri, M. Hosseini, H. & Norouzian Maleki, S. 2011, an assessment of pedestrian networks in accessible neighborhoods: Traditional neighborhoods in Iran. International Journal of Architectural Engineering & Urban Planning, No 21(1), pp. 52-59.
Balık, D. & Allmer, A. 2017, Simulating Craftwork in Contemporary Architecture. The Journal of Modern Craft, No 10 (1), pp. 37-57.
Baum, T.G. and O'Gorman, Kevin D. 2010, Iran or Persia: What is in a name, the decline and fall of a tourism industry? In: Tourism and Political Change. Goodfellow Publishers, Oxford. London, United Kingdom.
Bidar, F. Ajideh, S. Eftekharmanavi, S. Yusefi Keiashi1, H. & Ghorbani Gashti, K. 2013,A Review of Tourism Circumstance and Analyze the Strategies of Improving the Tourism Industry in Gilan Province. International Journal of Business and Behavioral Sciences, No 3(11), pp. 79-88.
Fereshteh Nejad. M. ؟, girih-tiling and girih-tiling in Iranian architectural art, Tehran: Anjoman Asar Melli Publications.
Hasanpour Loumer, S, 2015, "Investigation and analysis of the decorations (Girih-tiles) used in the buildings of the historical city of Masouleh, case example: Keshesar Olia neighborhood", Armanshahr, No. 17, pp. 25-36.
Hasanpour Loumer, S. Jamali, S, 2020, “Comparison of Gereh-chini Decorations in Visual Structure of theOpening Windows of the two Historical Villages of Masouleh and Abyaneh", Motaleate-e Tatbighi-e Honar, No. 10 (19), pp. 31-48.
Hasanpour Loumer, S. Tofan, S, 2018, "Visual and structural characteristics of the sashes of the historical city of Masouleh", Islamic Art, No. 34, pp. 72-92.
Moghbeli. A. & Mirfakhraei, V.  2014, Geometry of motifs, Tehran: Fakhrakia Publications.
Sattari Sarbangholi, H and Hasanpour Loumer, S, 2013, "Girih-tiles decorations in the buildings of Khanebar Masouleh neighborhood", Visual Arts, No. 4, pp. 55-66.
Shafaei. J. 2001, the art of making Girih-tiling in architecture and tailoring, Tehran: Anjoman Asar va mafakher farhangi Publications.
Taleghani, M. Gilaninia, S. & Bashiri, N. 2011. Assessing the Impact of Destination Features on Behavioral Intentions of Tourists in Tourism Industry (Case Study: The Historic City of Iran (Masouleh)). Interdisciplinary Journal of Contemporary Research in Business, No 3(6), pp. 569-576.
Zomarshidi. H. 1986, Girih-tiling in Islamic architecture and handicrafts, Tehran: Markaz Nashre Daneshgahi Publications.