Craft comparison

Under review

Moarraq tile mosaic vs Stucco carving (Gach-bori)

کاشی معرق · گچ‌بری

Moarraq tile mosaic: A technique of architectural revetment in which monochrome glazed tiles are cut into small individual pieces to a template and set together, glaze face down, into a mortar bed to form complex polychrome patterns and inscriptions. Stucco carving (Gach-bori): The carving and moulding of gypsum plaster into architectural ornament, including mihrabs, inscriptions, muqarnas and wall panels.

Side by side

Moarraq tile mosaicStucco carving (Gach-bori)
Persian nameکاشی معرقگچ‌بری
CategoryCeramics · Architectural tileworkArchitectural ornamentation · Carved plaster
Materialsclay—
Techniquescut-tile-mosaicrelief-carving
Regionsisfahan, tabriz, kashan, yazdisfahan, yazd, kashan
Periodsilkhanid, timurid, safavid, qajar, contemporaryseljuk, ilkhanid, safavid, qajar, contemporary
Motifseslimi-arabesque, gereh-geometriceslimi-arabesque
Current vitalityLiving traditionLiving tradition

What they share

  • Regions: isfahan, kashan, yazd
  • Motifs: eslimi-arabesque
  • Periods: ilkhanid, safavid, qajar, contemporary

How to tell them apart

  • Materials such as clay point towards Moarraq tile mosaic.
  • Moarraq tile mosaic typically involves cut-tile-mosaic.
  • Stucco carving (Gach-bori) typically involves relief-carving.
  • The stated place of making is a useful clue, but never proof on its own.

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Disclaimer

This comparison is educational and built from entries still under review. It cannot confirm what a particular object is.