Islamic Geometric Patterns: Their Historical Development and Traditional Methods of Construction: With a Chapter on the Use of Computer Algorithms to Generate Islamic Geometric…
Original price was: $129.93.$121.80Current price is: $121.80.
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The main focus of this unique book is an in-depth examination of the polygonal technique; the primary method used by master artists of the past in creating Islamic geometric patterns. The author details the design methodology responsible for this all-but-lost art form and presents evidence for its use from the historical record, both of which are vital contributions to the understanding of this ornamental tradition. Additionally, the author examines the historical development of Islamic geometric patterns, the significance of geometric design within the broader context of Islamic ornament as a whole, the formative role that geometry plays throughout the Islamic ornamental arts (including calligraphy, the floral idiom, dome decoration, geometric patterns, and more), and the underexamined question of pattern classification.
Featuring over 600 beautiful color images, Islamic Geometric Patterns: Their Historical Development and Traditional Methods of Con
struction is a valuable addition to the literature of Islamic art, architecture and geometric patterns. This book is ideal for students and scholars of geometry, the history of mathematics, and the history of Islamic art, architecture, and culture. In addition, artists, designers, craftspeople, and architects will all find this book an exceptionally informative and useful asset in their fields.
Jay Bonner is an architectural ornamentalist and unaffiliated scholar of Islamic geometric design. He received his MDes from the Royal College of Art in London (1983). He has contributed ornamental designs for many international architectural projects, including the expansion of both the al-Masjid al-Haram (Grand Mosque) in Mecca, and the al-Masjid an Nawabi (Prophet’s Mosque) in Medina, as well the Tomb of Sheikh Hujwiri in Lahore, and the Ismaili Centre in London – to name but a few. He is committed to the revitalization of Islamic geometric design through the teaching of traditional methodological practices. To this end, in addition to publishing, Jay Bonner has lectured and taught design seminars at many universities and conferences in North America, Europe, North Africa and Asia.
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15 reviews for Islamic Geometric Patterns: Their Historical Development and Traditional Methods of Construction: With a Chapter on the Use of Computer Algorithms to Generate Islamic Geometric…
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Original price was: $129.93.$121.80Current price is: $121.80.
Barbara Pickett –
a wealth of information and insight
Paul Barchilon –
I have been working with Islamic pattern for almost thirty years, and this book has blown my mind. Bonner’s breakdown of what is happening inside patterns, his theories on their creation, and his meticulous categorizing and ordering of patterns seems to be unprecedented in the field. This is not a book for beginners. If you are just starting to draw Islamic geometric patterns, begin with something simpler, like one of Eric Broug’s books. If you have moved on from there, and are ready for more, this book is absolutely worth the $100.
Bonner’s central thesis is that Islamic geometric patterns developed and evolved out of what he calls the polygonal technique. This system is best known to many as the foundation of Girih tiles, from the five sided family of design, and has been written about extensively. Bonner demonstrates that it is in fact more likely that Girih itself developed out of earlier polygonal techniques based on other number families. He has meticulously tracked down and organized historical examples to support his thesis, and he builds a convincing case. Many designs can be created from different techniques, but the polygonal technique is unquestionably the best suited to analyze and categorize patterns. Bonner also demonstrates other design methodologies, and shows how they may have developed earlier patterns.
Page after page of detailed pattern analysis demonstrate how to create virtually any pattern that can be found in the Islamic geometric repertoire, and also how to create endless new patterns. The first 150 pages or so provide brief historical introductions to the different cultures that created these patterns, and what was happening historically in both Islamic art, and a given country at the time. As one who has admired countless patterns, learning at least something about the cultures that created them is fascinating. Page after page of beautiful photographs adorn this section, and almost every pattern is cross referenced with a figure later in the book that shows you how to draw it.
I am a working artist, making tiles, platters, and vases in the Islamic style. I have been creating my own patterns in this style for many years, and I am excited to see what new patterns I will create now that Mr. Bonner has opened my eyes to so many more possibilities!
Chaim Goodman-Strauss –
This is a landmark in the study of islamic geometric ornament, a millennium-long cross-cultural highly mathematical tradition that produced world heritage sites on three continents.
Jay Bonner has had a remarkable career, comprehensively studying islamic ornament, its transmission and its construction, extending it further in new directions. He has contributed ornamental designs to some of the most important buildings in the islamic world, and this is his magnum opus.
This book is and is likely to remain a unique work that will be carefully studied for a long time (and critiqued too).
It’s expensive, but really worth the price if you can afford it. Either way, make your library get a copy!
And enjoy!
Acyc –
This book has helped me understand more about islamic geometry as a beginner. Though I may not understand some concepts, there were always apt examples and descriptions given. Though it may look intimidating, it is actually quite digestible and is able to sustain my interest.
Majda TAOUROU –
A good quality if the information shared un the book