Star Pattern in the Mamluk Art (648-923 A.H./1250-1517 AD.)

Abstract

This study is intended to determine whether there is an evolution of star patterns throughout the Mamluk period 648-923 A.H./1250-1517 AD. or not. It also aims to gather all what is concerning star patterns either its main elements, secondary elements, its various forms, methods of its drawings, materials on which it is executed, techniques of its performance on various materials and lastly different kinds of ornaments which decorate its elements interiors. Former studies were usually keen on indentifying whether star pattern’s methods of drawing by mentioning some examples on which it is represented on either Faṭimīd, Ayyūbīd or Mamluk artifacts. Some former studies were intended for the discussion of specific kinds of artifacts and referring to star patterns which were used to decorate it. For example Bourgoin’s study in Islamic ornaments either floral, geometric designs, inscriptions, or blazons. His first study was assigned mostly for surveying different forms of star patterns.1 Whereas his second study undertook some star pattern designs in addition to figures of other kinds of ornaments.2 Hankin was interested in saracenic patterns in general and geometric patterns in particular. His article focused mainly on the 1 Bourgoin.Jules, Les éléments de l’art arabe: le trait des entrelacs, Paris, 1879 2 Bourgoin, Précis de l’art arabe et matériaux pour server à la théorie et à la technique des arts de l’orient musulman, Paris, 1892 XIII methods of drawing star patterns and how the lines are drawn and intersect with each other to form this design.3 A.Ibrāhīm, in accordance to his Ph.D. study in the documents which is divided into three volumes; the first deals with the text concerning documents and endowment deeds during the reign of al-sulṭān al-Ġawrī, the second is for plates concerning some plates for documents others for architectural elements either inside or outside the complex of al-Ġawrī. He also added figures discussing some topics in the thesis in addition to figures discussing different elements of star patterns and its terminologies which he brought from the craftsmen themselves. The third volume examines the endowment deed of the complex of al-Ġawrī in addition to an annex including different terminologies which are stated in this deed. It offers valuable and important terminologies concerning different materials of marble, stone, metal, wood and others.4 Also his study in books and Islamic library where he touched on geometric designs generally and star patterns in particular using figures to describe its elements.5 This kind of ornament is stated in Mamluk documents as ḍarb ḫaīyṭ which will be discussed later on