Isfahan Mihrab Design
This design is based on inlaid tilework found under the arch of a 14th-century mihrab (prayer niche) from the Madrasa Imami school in Isfahan (in present-day Iran), currently in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Considered one of the most noteworthy surviving examples of Persian mosaic tilework, the complete mihrab has many Arabic inscriptions and decoration in biomorphic and geometric designs, mostly in dark blue, turquoise, white, and gold. The section depicted here shows symmetrical flower designs in the hexagonal fields and interlacing strapwork in the six-pointed star.
I wish to thank artist and teacher Laurelie Rae (luluateliers.com) for demonstrating this pattern at a workshop organized by Scripts n’ Scribes. Check out their website for more opportunities to learn about Islamic arts: www.scriptsnscribes.com