Identifying the Patterns and Techniques of " Brick-Ended Plugs" Decoration of Jame Mosque in Isfahan

In Iranian architecture, Jame’ (congregational) mosques are considered as the most important and typical monuments in every city. Isfahan’s Jame’ mosque which reflects over 800 years of Iranian architecture is important in a variety of artistic and architectural aspects. Brick-ended plugs are amongst the most typical decorations in most parts of this monument which have remained of Buyid, Seljuqid and Ilkhanid eras. Since this decoration has not been studied enough, it needs to be studied more regarding its patterns and techniques.In this research, through visual observations and library studies, patterns of this decoration are categorized into four separated groups: geometrical patterns, plant patterns, sacred names and phrases patterns and chain patterns. Then, some of the most common patterns, drawn with AutoCAD 2008 software, and the characteristics of each group are discussed separately. Different materials and techniques of creating these decorations are identified through classic chemistry experiments and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) which includes using of casted seals and stucco technique. In this mosque, stucco technique was used more to create this kind of decoration and casted seals were mostly used for creating simple geometrical patterns. In samples made with casted seal method, all of them have been sealed before the final setting by adding glue to the paste of gypsum.