The analysis of effect of structure of tong borie decoration on process of its final formation in Safavid era

The tong borie decoration is one of the plaster architectural arrays that have been evolved from different aspects such as technique of execution and designs during Safavid era. Analysis on fundamentals of construction of tong borie decorations as well as process of their construction may clarify the forgotten part of knowledge of Iranian traditional architectural masters. There is a direct relationship among forms, dimensions, and used materials in process of final construction of the tong borie decoration, the researchers have generally analyzed descriptively on tong borie decoration and based on aesthetic aspect. The present research examines the loading of factors of form and geometry in construction process and final form of tong borie decoration for the first time. Achieving the given findings is of librarian and mainly field study in this paper. The methodology of the current study includes exploration of construction principles and identifying various types of tong borie decoration and drawing each and every designs and interview with the relevant masters and this study is intended to reveal effect of all of factors that play role in formation of tong borie decoration in technique of their construction. It was identified according to the conducted studies and comparative analysis that the tong borie decoration has been executed in various buildings including palace and sepulture during Safavid era in Isfahan and Ardebil. The forms used in these tong borie decorations comprise of altar, vessel- like, natural, and formative sub-designs (soffits) that include unique diversification of altar designs in Chini khane of Sheikh Safieddin Ardebili is considered as important because of its sanctity in this monument. It should be also implied regarding technique of execution of tong borie decorations that the tong borie decorations have been built identically but house of Martha Peters is the only different sample which has been executed in latticework form. Plaster (chalk), paint, and gold have been utilized as materials in execution of this decoration and the wood has been only used in Chini khane to divide interior spaces. Similarly, the depth of decoration is too high in Chini khane because of use of tong borie decoration in this structure. In addition to Chini khane , this decoration has been also utilized as acoustic insulator in Aliqapu Palace rather than aesthetic dimension of this decoration. Other plaster decorations have been also executed rather than tong borie decorations in Chini khane and the other distinct point seen in this place is the use of relief tong borie decorations with inscribed titles such as ‘ الله ’ (God), ‘ محمد ’ (Mohammad), ‘ ی اعلی ’ (Oh’ Ali), and ‘ ی ا شاه صفی ’ (Oh’ Shah Safi) which are assumed as unique in terms of type.

کلیدواژه ها:

Plaster decorations ، Tong borie decoration ، Isfahan architectural decorations ، Decorations of Sepulture of Sheikh Safieddin Ardebili ، Architecture in Safavid era