Study and Comparison of the Decoration of Zavāreh and Ardestān Mosques on the Basis of Rāzi and Āzari Architectural Styles

Mosques were established after Islam in different cities and different periods. In general, post-Islamic Iranian architectural methodology could be categorized under four styles, including Khorāssāni, Rāzi, Āzari and Isfahāni. The heyday of mosques construction in Iran occurred in the Rāzi style. This style reached its peak during the Seljuk period in the central plateau of Iran. In the meantime, the names of Ardestān and Zavāreh mosques besides the Isfahan Grand Mosque are among the most important buildings constructed in this style and period. A significant common element in these two mosques and the reason for choosing the two is that their architect as well as their geographical area was the same, and the year of construction of both buildings was close to each other. In this research, the decorative features of these two mosques have been examined, and by enumerating the features of Rāzi and Āzari styles, the relationship between the elements of the two mosques in these styles is examined. The research is based on descriptive-analytical methodology and the method of data collection based on library sources and field studies of the buildings. Results show that the decorative elements of Ardestān Mosque share more affinities with the Seljuk period and the Rāzi style, while the decorative elements of Zavāreh Mosque do with the Ilkhanid era and the Āzari style. Their common elements are mostly laid in their structures and their differences are more evident in the field of decorations.