Stucco Inscriptions and Ornaments of The Great Seljuk Mihrab of Rey

The art and architecture of the Great Seljuk period, known as the Renaissance of Persian Art in Persian studies, left an undeniable effect on the following periods. The art of the Great Seljuk period, influenced by the art of the previous periods, became a source of inspiration for the artworks of later periods. The aim of this article is to introduce the stucco ornaments and inscriptions of the mihrab of Ray, to reveal the important values of the mihrab and thus to provide the opportunity to evaluate the influence area and its power of influence. Because of our research, it is found that the ornamental composition of the mihrab includes inscriptions, vegetal and geometric decorations. In addition, these decorations were made in embossing and hollowly technique. There is no information about the artist of the stucco decorations of the altar. Although there is no date inscription on the mihrab, it is similar to the examples of the Great Seljuk period in terms of general shape and decoration features. Also according to the results of this research, the stucco decorations in this mihrab, It is very similar to the decoration of the first Islamic era of Iran, obtained from Neyshabur excavations, stucco decorations discovered from Samarra Exploration, architectural ornaments of the Qarakhanid period, stucco decorations from the Ghaznavid Period, Anatolian Seljuk Architectural decorations and stucco decorations of the Ilkhanid Period of Iran.