Islamic Art Studies

Islamic Art Studies

Identification and Classification of "Amud-e Kashi" (Glazed Tile Attachment) on Twenty-Two Inscribed Minarets of the Seljuk Period in Iran

Document Type : Original Article

Author
Zahra Rezaeyan
Iranian Painting, Faculty of Handicrafts, Isfahan University of Art, Isfahan, Iran
10.22034/ias.2025.504875.2407
Abstract
Minarets are among the most significant architectural relics of the Seljuk period in Iran, which, in addition to their religious functions, also played a symbolic role. Among these, the decoration of "Amud-e Kashi," i.e., the attachment of glazed tiles to the body of minarets, held a special place in the aesthetic and cultural expression of that era. This research, with a historical-comparative approach, identifies and classifies the Amud-e Kashi decorations on 22 inscribed Seljuk minarets and analyzes the type of tilework, color, script, and its combination with brick. The findings indicate that the greatest use of tilework was in the areas of the inscription and the crown of the minarets, and turquoise color, as a symbol of the sky and Islamic spirituality, had the highest frequency. Furthermore, the combination of geometric brick patterns and tilework not only aided in the decoration of the structure but also increased its durability against environmental factors. This study emphasizes that a precise understanding of these decorations can inspire the restoration process and contemporary Islamic architectural design.
Research Objectives:


Identifying the Amud-e Kashi decorations on twenty-two inscribed minarets of the Seljuk period.


Systematic classification of Amud-e Kashi tilework decorations on these minarets.


Research Questions:


Which inscribed minarets of the Seljuk period feature Amud-e Kashi decorations?


How are Amud-e Kashi decorations classified in interaction with other architectural decorations?
Keywords
Seljuk Architecture
Inscribed Minaret
Amud-e Kashi
Decorations
Islamic Architecture of Iran
Subjects
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