The Abbasid palace an analytical study of its wall-ornaments

Abstract

Most researchers differ in their attitude towards the building inside Baghdad Citadel which used to be called “al-Ma’mun Palace”. Some scholars have given it the name “Abbasid Palace” implying that it was where a Caliph used to live. No ancient historical books mention Palace, or discuss it from the artistic point of view. The first chapter gives a general historical survey, to throw light on some of the buildings periods which preceded the construction of the ‘Abbasid Palace. In the second chapter a description is given of the plan of the building itself, which is compared with similar plans of other buildings in Islamic countries. In this chapter is also given a description of the ornament called muqarnasat (which used to be called stalactite). A comparison is made between this ornament in the Palace with that in other contemporary buildings. In the third chapter analytical studies are offered of the wall ornaments; discussing in detail the most important elements of design used in ornament throughout Islamic art and architecture; the particular connexions between those in the Abbasid Palace and in the other contemporary buildings are elucidated, as well as the history of the elements themselves in the Islamic and pre-Islamic world. The conclusion demonstrates both the period of the erection of the Abbasid Palace and the purpose it was designed to serve.