The Study of Tile Shelters of Timurid and Turkmen Period Buildings in Yazd Province based on Geometric Pattern and Motif

During the Timurid and Turkmen periods, Yazd province witnessed unique examples of tile decorations called shelters. So that these shelters have common characteristics in terms of the patterns and motifs used in their center/background and borders, which emphasizes the uniqueness of the named decoration in this region of the country during the mentioned periods. For this reason, it is possible to identify and classify this category of decorations and also to understand the local style in the Yazd region during the period under study.Therefore, this article introduces and classifiy the tile shelters used in buildings of the aforementioned period in Yazd province based on their geometric Pattern and Motif. It also aims to achieve some of the characteristics of the local/regional style of tile decoration in Yazd. During the review of the motifs found in tilework, the execution technique, colors, etc. are also briefly mentioned. Therefore, the main research question can be posed as follows: What are the most common geometric Patterns and Motifs of the tile shelters of buildings from the Timurid and Turkmen periods in Yazd province? The present study is based on a method of descriotive-analytical research and a qualitative data analysis and interpretation method. The research methodology of gathering information and data is documentary and based on extensive field observations, including visiting buildings, taking pictures of tile shelters, and drawing some samples with various software such as CorelDraw, Photoshop,etc. The statistical population of this study includes all tile shelters from the Timurid and Turkmen periods in Yazd province, which include ten buildings. Therefore, first the findings are presented and then the introduction and classification of the tile shelters of the buildings of this time period in Yazd province are discussed. The results of this research indicate that examining the existing examples of tile shelters from the Timurid and Turkmen periods in Yazd province, it was determined that only geometric motifs were used in their center/background and borders. The tile shelters of the mentioned eras of Yazd province can be classified into two major groups, "regular hexagonal" and "Six and roundel Jointed Toranj" in terms of the geometric motifs of the center/background. The borders are designed with geometric patterns and motifs, such as simple border without motif, "quatrefoil and ellipse" and "Six and Triangle" knot. The "regular hexagonal" knot is the most common geometric motif used in the center/background of the shelters The borders in most of the shelters are made with the "Six and Triangle" knot. In a limited number of cases, the borders of some shelters consist of geometric designs consisting of the repetition of two simple geometric motifs, such as "quatrefoil and ellipse" or a simple, narrow border without motifs. Therefore, the buildings of Yazd province can be indicative of a local style, from one side, in terms of having shelters and on the other hand, due to the use of common geometric motifs in them. A style whose works and evidence can only be traced in this province during the period under study.