Page 10 - DILMUN NO 7

Ornamental! and Itooration
found in

early systemi of @ onstruction

of Arabia

BY
DR. ABDUL LATIF KANOO Drawings rcpoduced by the courtesy of
Ph.D., M.S., D.I.C., C Eng.. M.l. Struct.E., M.ASCE. Mrs. Maria Kanoo.
DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH & ENGINEERING PROJECTS
MINISTRY OF DEVELOPMENT & ENGINEERING SERVICES

Ornamentation of various arabesque designs plaster ornamentation was limited to the upper­
and decoration of varied forms were employed most height of the walls and around the
in the early systems of house construction parameter of windows, doors and recessed
throughout the Arabian peninsula. Its use was shelves. A square or rectangular opening in
not limited to the interior of the house, as many lattice plaster of arabesque design was some­
types of decorations were used externally too. times built at the top of the horizontal fret
In general, the ornamentation and the decora­ of the door, the windows and the recessed
tions were attractive and symmetrical. They shelves.
were of a repeating pattern (within a strip), One of the unique examples of extensive
based on geometrical figures, and executed art­ work of cut plaster ornamentation was usually
istically to accommodate local tastes and the found in small areas around the main door of
individuality of the area. Four forms of the house. Such decorations gave a remarkable
ornamentation and decorations were used: impression, especially when the bas-relief were
(1) Plaster ornamentation; (2) wood carvings; coloured with dark paint which contrasted
(3) multicolour decoration; and (4) shaped gracefully with the white plaster.
decorations. The method of executing the plaster
Plaster ornamentations were used more ornamentation work was performed by cover­
frequently than any of the other forms of ing the completed plastered walls with another
decoration. Such preference was attributed to layer a half-inch thick. On the development
the availability of the plaster material and skilled of the initial strength of the plaster, the designs
competent craftsmen, the simplicity of the were cut by master masons. The ornamental
execution of the work, and the short period work proceeded in small areas. Its size was
of time required for the completion. The determined by the ability of the master mason
ornamented plaster walls were attractive in to complete the work before the plaster dried.
appearance, beautiful in design, and pleasing in Consequently, the area covered depended on
artistic expression. They were carefully planned the complexity of the geometrical design used.
and skillfully executed with an immense variety Another method of executing plaster
of geometrical patterns, reflecting exquisite ornamentation is by the use of pre-cast, pre-
impressions of arabesque art and skill. omamented panels that are designed and carried
The walls were decorated with plaster out by master masons elsewhere and erected
ornamentation in zones and panels from the and fitted in the positions required. The panel
floor to the ceiling. In some cases a fret of method offers great advantages that include:

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