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Moorish architecture in Spain and Islamic architecture in the Middle East offer excellent examples of tessellations or tilings.

Because of the strict injunctions against such depictions of humans or animals which might result in idol-worship, Islamic art developed a unique character, utilizing a number of primary forms: geometric, arabesque, floral, and calligraphic, which are often interwoven. From early times, Muslim art has reflected this balanced, harmonious world-view.

- Elisabeth Siddiqui, Islamic Art

Egyptian, Persian, Byzantine, Arabian, Moresque, Indian, Hindoo, Chinese, Middle Ages

Tilings from Historical Sources

The images on these pages are taken from the CD-Rom edition of The Grammar of Ornament, by Owen Jones, originally published in 1856. The images here are reproduced by kind permission of the publishers. This site is maintained by Steve Edwards.

Spain

Alhambra and Generalife (English) || La Alhambra and el Generalife (Spanish)

A tour including photos of La Alcazaba, the palaces of the Alhambra, the Alhambra after the reconquest and the gardens of the Generalife.

Granada: Photo Tour (English) || Granada: Foto Tour (Spanish)
Granada City Guide (English) || Granada Guia de ciudades (Spanish)

Chinese and Japanese Designs

The following links are to tessellations by Dr. William Chow. He has generated the graphics by writing Java applets and then associated the graphic with a design in architecture. Dr. Chow states, "The Japanese images are used in quilts and woodworking. The garden architecture (lattice windows) is from China."

Japan:

Classic Japanese Quilt Pattern
Chiyogami - hand printed Japanese paper
Flax Pattern
Patchwork and Quilt
A Japanese Quilt Design

Middle East

Textual and Visual Resources on Islamic Art and Architecture

Rotch Visual Collections from MIT Libraries

Isfahan, Iran [Persia]

Fundamental Concepts of Persian Architecture

The sense of unity which is fundamental to Islamic architecture is explained and illustrated in these pages.

Mosques and shrines

Once you select a mosque or shrine to visit, make certain to view the links provided at the bottom of each page which allow you to enter doors or travel to a nearby building.

Tilework in Persian Architecture

Examples of mosaic tilework and tilework incorporating calligraphy are shown in this collection of pages.