Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1 Department of Art, Faculty of Art & Architecture, , Shiraz University, Shiraz. Iran,
2 Department of Art Research, Faculty of Art,, Science & Arts University, Yazd, Iran
Abstract
Wood, as one of the principal materials in Iranian applied arts, has survived in relatively few authentic historical examples due to its vulnerability to environmental factors; consequently, many wooden works from various periods are no longer extant. Beyond their formal, aesthetic, and thematic dimensions, Iranian paintings can serve as valuable documentary sources for identifying and describing the cultural and social contexts of their time. This study seeks to present a clearer account of the formal and technical characteristics of wood arts in the Safavid period through analysis of the illustrations of the Shahnameh of Shah Tahmasp. The research follows a descriptive–analytical approach, with data collected through library research and fieldwork, including observation sheets and interviews. The sample comprises 26 illustrations in which wooden elements are depicted and suitable for technical and formal analysis. The findings show that the most elaborate and diverse wooden decorations appear in royal and courtly settings, revealing a direct relationship between spatial status and degree of ornamentation. Among the techniques, girih-chini (openwork and solid), carving, and carved–inlaid work are most frequent, while shamsa, hexagonal, and khata’i arabesque motifs recur more than other patterns.
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