Moaraq

''Mo'araq'' (مُعَرَق, "inlay") is the Persian term for "cut-tile mosaic" techniques. It is part of the Classical ''opus sectile'' ("cut-stone mosaic") technique. It consists in using small shards of glazed colored tile, chipped and assembled precisely together in order to form a given design. This techniques allows for long-lasting designs with vibrant colours, and is the oldest mosaic technique used in the Middle East. In case of the specific use of ceramics, the term ''kǎši-ye mo'araq'' can be used.

Early examples

Fine decorative work with pre-formed (not "cut") monochromous tiles appears quite early with the Seljuk Kharraqan Towers (1067-1093). The evolution of the ''Mo'araq'' may have been progressive, as craftsmen increasing used pieces of enameled cut tiles inserted into wall surfaces for decorative purposes.

The exact origin of pure ''Mo'araq'' is uncertain. One of the candidates for the earliest form of complete inlaid cut-tilework (with no intervening space between the tile fragments) is from the Seljuk era, with the 13th century Gök Medrese (1269-1270) in Tokat, Anatolia under the Sultanate of Rum. The technique was apparently applied in the Gök Medrese by craftsmen who had emigrated from Iran.

In Iran itself, the first known example of complete cut-tile mosaics is the Dome of Soltaniyeh (1307-1313) during the Ilkhanid era, where the mosaic appear "in situ". Some possible fragments of cut-tile mosaic may also have been found in two slightly earlier monuments: the tomb of Ghazan Khan ( Ghazan Khan died in 1304) in Tabriz, and the buildings of the Rab'-i Rashīdī (before 1318).

Maturity

The technique matured during 15th century, and was practiced by the Timurids in Samarkand and Herat, as well as the Turkmen polities of the Qara Qoyunlu and Aq Qoyunlu in Western and Central Iran. ''Mo'araq'' continued to be in use during the Safavid era (16th–17th century), especially in Isfahan under Abbas the Great.

The term ''Mo'araq'' can also be used for marquetry, in which small pieces of woods of various nature and shade can be used to achieve a design.

''Mo'araq'' is technically very different from '' Haft-rang'' (7-color) tiles, which started to be used widely in the 17th century. The ''Haft-Rang'' technique is simpler and faster, but only uses large square tiles on which colors are painted side-by-side or delineated with black painting, and the whole tile is then fired, which does not permit an optimum firing process for each of the colors. Hence the colours of ''Haft-Rang'' are weaker, less intense, less clearly delineated, and the glazes not as strong.

<--! File:Turkey, Konya - Alaeddin Mosque 03.jpg, Alaeddin Mosque, Konya, 1220 -->
File:Tokat tiles 2.jpg, Seljuk tile mosaic, Gök Medrese, Tokat, 1269-1270
File:Soltaniyeh interiors.jpg, Ilkhanate tile mosaic, Dome of Soltaniyeh (1307-1313)
File:Mihrab (Prayer Niche) dated 755 AH (1354–55 CE) Madrasa Imami, Isfahan (Abu Ishaq, Injuid period). Metropolitan Museum of Art.jpg, ''Mihrab'' in tile-mosaic, dated 755 AH (1354–55 CE) Madrasa Imami, Isfahan. Injuid.
File:Samarcanda, Registán 08.jpg, A 15th century Tumurid ''Mo'araq'', Ulugh Beg Madrasa, Samarkand, 1417-1421
File:Darb-e-imam northern gate, flower pot design, 1453.jpg, ''Mo'araq'', Qara Qoyunlu tilework at Darb-e Imam, 1453
File:Detail of mo'araq inlay technique. Jameh Mosque of Isfahan.jpg, Detail of mo'araq inlay technique. Jameh Mosque of Isfahan, circa 1475-76
File:Blue Mosque gate tilework, Tabriz, 1465.jpg, ''Mo'araq'', Qara Qoyunlu tilework at the Blue Mosque, Tabriz, 1465

See also

* Persian art

External links

Persian Tile Art: Mosaic vs. 7-Color

Sources

*

References

{{Islamic art

Architectural elements
Architecture in Iran
Islamic architectural elements
Islamic architecture
Ornaments (architecture)
Iranian architectural elements