Photos, pictures and images of Arabesque tiles, plaster work and architectural decorations. The arabesque is a form of artistic decoration consisting of surface and relief decorations based on repeating and linear patterns of scrolling and interlacing foliage, tendrils or plain lines. This builds in complexity to produce the incredible Mocarabe Arabesque stalactite plaster work ceilings such as those in the Alhambra Palace Granada. Pre Islamic Arabesque influences can be seen in the Byzantine Roman column capitals of Hagia Sophia ( present day Istanbul) and the early examples of Muqarnas can be found in pre Islamic Samara in Iraq. In Arabesque plasterwork calligraphy with religious messages is interwoven with geometric deigns. The style is typified by deeply recessed reliefs and long narrow plaster panels with calligraphy which are commonly used above courses of geometric tiles throughout Islamic buildings. Arabesque architectural decorations are utilised in all aspects of Islamic architecture. Exterior and interior surfaces are often completely covered with geometric tiles and doorways, niches, window arches and ceiling are given great attention with incredibly intricate wood and plaster work designs as can be seen in the Mocarabe, Honeycomb work or Stalactite work, in the Alhambra Palace in Granada. Arabesque tile and ceramic designs are a great feature of Islamic architecture. One of the highlights are the Iznik tiles of the Ottoman Empire used with spectacular effect in interior of the Topkapi Palace in Istanbul. Tile making in all parts of the Islamic Middle East and North Africa produce incredible geometric tile designs. From the Exterior tiles of the Dome of the Rock In Jerusalem and The Friday Mosque in Herat, Afghanistan to the Berber Arabesque tiles of North Africa and the Alhambra in Spain, the variation in Islamic tile and ceramic design is seemingly endless. Arabesque art has influenced western art since the Middle Ages. The Normans of Sicily fused their northern European culture with that of the Byzantine Romans and Islamic art to produce great interiors like that of the Palatine chapel in Palermo with its wooden Arabesque stalactite ceiling. Byzantine oriental textiles and decorative arts were introduced into Europe via Venice who embraced the style in the architecture of great Palaces that line the Grand Canal. The Moors of Spain produced Hispano Moresque lustreware which was highly prized by the Christian countries of Europe. The Arabesque style is still very much alive in both Islamic and Christian countries where its mesmerising designs still delight consumers and connoisseurs alike. Buy Photos, pictures and images of Arabesque tiles, plaster work and architectural decorations on line or buy as photo art prints