Designs from Other Cultures
Islamic
Entrance to the Tomb of Tshutshuk Bika, Shah-i Zindeh, Samarkand
The decoration of the façade and entrance gate of the tomb dates from 1371.
Glazed bricks, moulded relief and deep cut, glazes tile work are applied to the brick surface, covering it completely with a multiform abstract geometrical and floral design, outstanding in its finesse and brilliance of colour.
Make the geometrical designs in PlayMais click here
click on photo to enlarge
Chinese
Ming Dynasty, Chia-Ching period, Shoulder Jar
Made in an Imperial factory between 1522-1566.
Porcelain with a powerfully drawn dragon in yellow glaze and iron-red pigment.
Height 21cm.
Read more about dragons: Eastern Dragons
Make a Chinese Dragon picture in PlayMais: Dragon Mosaic
Make a model dragon: Dragon Model
click on photo to enlarge
click to enlarge
India - Buddhist
Peacock Medallion, Bhārhut
Carved from sandstone in the 2nd century BC, diameter 49cm. The exquisite stylised peacock shows the decorative skill of the Bhārhut artists. Medallions decorated the upright pillars of the balustrade of the stūpa at Bhārhut. A stūpa is a round, domed building built as a Buddhist shrine. The dome represents the cosmic mountain, the pivot of the world.
Make a Peacock Mosaic in PlayMais click here
click on photo to enlarge
Japanese Box for writing materials
Muromachi period, 15th century
Black lacquered wood with maki-e (gold, silver and mother-of-pearl inlay).
The scene illustrates a poem praising the beauty of the cherry blossom.
Three characters from the poem are written in gold on the tree trunk.
Make a cherry blossom twig click here
click to enlarge
Japanese
Design
Modern fabric with arrow pattern on a dark background
and
cherry blossoms in the foreground.
Make this design in PlayMais click here
click to enlarge