The Role of the Dome in Safavid Era Architecture with Emphasis on the Dome of Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque

Abstract

Islamic art, particularly in the realms of architecture and related decorations, is characterized by unique and aesthetic subtleties. Decoration has played a prominent role in the history of Iranian architecture, maintaining its dynamism and continuity from ancient times to the present day. For example, Iranian artists, especially during the post-Seljuk period, utilized small turquoise-glazed tile pieces for buildings, and the Safavid era can be considered the pinnacle of exterior decoration of structures. In Islamic-Iranian structures, the dome is considered one of the most symbolic elements of Islamic architecture, which received significant attention during the Safavid period. Although dome decorations began prominently during the Timurid era, they reached their peak during the Safavid period. This study aims to introduce and examine the dome of the prominent Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque to further analyze and understand the Safavid approach and interest in this type of decoration. In the present research, a descriptive-analytical method utilizing library tools has been employed for analysis. The dome of Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, both in terms of form and the harmony in its motifs and colors, exemplifies the best possible representation of the harmony between form and meaning. This dome is a tangible manifestation of the congruence between form and meaning in Islamic architecture.