A Comparative Analysis of Decorative Motifs of Seyed Shams-o-ddin Tomb in Yazd and the Soltanieh Dome in Zanjan, Iran

The city of Yazd had one of its most historically prosperous periods in the time of “āl-e-Muzaffar” dynasty, in the 8th century. In this period, various monuments and buildings were built, one of which was the tomb of “Seyyed Shams-o-ddin” in Yazd. This monument was previously a complex of “khanqah” (Sufis’ worship place), “madrasah”, (traditional school), “bazaar” (traditional enclosed marketplace), “āb-anbār” (traditional reservoir), and historical bathroom. By the support of Seyyed Shams-o-ddin, the plan of this building was designed in the city of Tabriz and was sent to Yazd to be built. After Seyed Shams-o-ddin’s death, this building turned into his tomb. In addition to its architecture, the decorations of this tomb are samples of the most accurate and various-pattern ornaments of the Ilkhanid period, created in the forms of tilings, paintings, and plasterworks. Through field and library studies, this article presents a case study about motifs and arrays of Seyed Sham-o-ddin tomb and compares them with the ornaments of Soltaniyeh dome in the city of Zanjan. Then through historical and descriptive method, different characteristics of these ornaments are analyzed. In general, this research shows that the decorations of Ilkhanid period have an independent and unique style. They were expanded in a vast geographic area and then were taken to other areas as well. In terms of technique and design, the decorations of Seyed Sham-o-ddin tomb, is in continuation of the Ilkanid style, especially those related to the Soltaniyeh dome.