Comparative study of the carving doors of the Afoshteh Mosque in Natanz with similar works from the Timurid dynasty

The Timurid period can be considered one of the brilliant periods of Iranian wooden arts. This period, in addition to continuing the path of previous periods, is distinguished from previous periods by the innovations in the works. Among the works of this period, we can mention the exquisite doors of Afoshteh Mosque, which are considered to be among the most prolific Islamic doors. In addition to their high artistic value, these doors are also of great thematic and social value due to the inscriptions that are associated with the religion of the people. The main purpose of the present study is to achieve the principles of design and the motifs of the inlaid doors of the Afoshteh Mosque with other typical examples of the Timurid period. The research method is descriptive, analytical and comparative in terms of method. According to the library and field studies conducted by the authors, it was concluded that the doors of the Afoshteh Mosque are very similar with the common pattern of Timurid carving doors and in terms of composition all these works are almost the same and have common features. All the doors are double-leafed, each of which is divided into three parts. The motifs used on them in many ways include: plant motifs, written motifs and geometric motifs. Also, based on the thematic study of the inscriptions, it can be seen that the Timurid period inscriptions mostly include: poems, the name of the founder and builder, the date of construction, the names of God, the name of Prophet Mohammad and the name of Imam Ali. The use of these poems and religious names reflects the religious beliefs of the founders of the works, in which Shiite tendencies are clearly seen.