frizztext hosts a weekly A – Z Challenge
Event Type: General Blogging
Start Date: Tuesdays, recurring weekly
Description: Every Tuesday I offer the “A to Z challenge”, walking step by step through the alphabet.
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On the lower walls of the tomb there are white marble dados that have been sculpted with realistic bas relief depictions of flowers and vines.
The marble has been polished to emphasise the exquisite detailing of the carvings and the dado frames and archway spandrels have been decorated with pietra dura inlays of highly stylised, almost geometric, vines, flowers and fruits. The inlay stones are of yellow marble, jasper and jade, polished and leveled to the surface of the walls
Given that Islamic Art forbids the use of the human image, the work of Mother Nature is the obvious spotlight. That, and transcripts of The Koran that run around all the doorways, makes the delicacy and the detail of all the decoration of this lovely place a true joy to behold.
In line with the Islamic prohibition against the use of anthropomorphic forms, the decorative elements can be grouped into either calligraphy, abstract forms (geometric and herringbone patterns) or vegetative motifs.
TRAVEL WORDS 
Nice close ups of the relief in the stone Jude. And D for decorative is a good use of the photo too.
Regards as always, Pete. x
Cheers Pete. I want to focus on my ‘Urbanicity’ images for this challenge so looking for architecture that fits. The D is for Dado too 🙂
Great close ups! We went to the Taj in the mid 80’s (before children!) and I remember being really blown away by the scale of the place and the intricacies of the designs – thanks for the memories!
I have been both before and after children (35 years between dates) and didn’t really see the detail on my first visit – I think I was simply overwhelmed by the site. The details are something else!
I’m so happy to see the Taj Mahal here, in it’s glorious close-up detail. Thanks for a trip down memory lane, Jude. 🙂
It is a truly amazing building.
Great ‘D’s… I have never been to the Taj Mahal, but it looks truly stunning. I like your focus on the dado and the detail…
Thanks Sue. I want to show architectural design and elements in this challenge. The detailed decoration on the Taj is so beautiful I just had to get it in somehow 🙂
Architectural design and elements sounds like a great theme, Jude….looking forward to future posts!
So beautiful, Jude! The detail is incredible 🙂 I can’t imagine standing that close to it.
It is very tactile!
Nice shot of a beautiful structure! =)
Thank you 🙂
Fantastic detail, Jude. I’d love to see this for myself one day. 🙂
Hi Sylvia, it is a remarkable place. Hope you get there!
Lovely detail Jude, The Taj Mahal is truly overwhelming. I bought a small marble box home with me that was decorated like the examples you have shown
Ah, that box must be so beautiful. And bring back so many memories every time you look at it.
It is exquisite and only 8×10 centimetres, but when I look at it I visualize the amazing Taj in all its glory.
Those dados are stunning. I’d love those in my bathroom 🙂 I must get to India and the Taj ….. just so much on the list before India *sigh*
Ooh now that would be a truly decadent bathroom! I hope you get there one day Karen; I have given up on the list – too much to do, so little time.
That’s exactly it, the list keeps growing. I’d never want to leave that bathroom methinks. Whoever built the Taj was that in love with his wife to spare no expense or detail. *sigh*
“In line with the Islamic prohibition
against the use of anthropomorphic forms…”
– as a photographer I’m always sad about such restrictions!
But you are right, this was a chance for a certain architecture and the world of ornaments …
Thanks Frizz. It is stunning architecture.