Reviewing Qajar Era Architectural Decoration with an Emphasis on European Designs in the Works of Shiraz

Abstract

Abstract. Decorative motifs always are one of the inseparable Iranian architecture. Iranian architect has used a visual perspective. Iranian architecture has always had a genuine spirit. After Naser-al Din Shah’s visited Europe the relationship with the Western world made extensive changes in society whether on sociology or cultural features that had an influence on architecture and other things. In this period, there was a wave of Iranian westernism and the traditional architecture. In this era, Persian architectures were all looking for western styles in the form of imitation. In the meantime, some archaism in architecture era in decoration and reclamation of Islamic motifs with the order of governments became popular. Although, some architectural techniques such as plastering, tile, carving and so on. were used, the method was basically Iranian. The new techniques come from the western world. There are different varieties in motifs. Some of them are Iranian but others are from the west. Some of the building’s design has the same designs as traditional before Islam. In Qajar motifs abstraction and inspiration of environment widely are seen and the artist is trying to resuscitate environment and ornament images around him in building decoration. Excessive use of motifs made the building boring and busy. In this article, we are going to take a look at the common principles in Qajar Era.