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Islamic Geometric Patterns
Jay Bonner is a specialist in the design of Islamic geometric patterns. Some
25 years ago he rediscovered the lost techniques used by traditional Muslim
pattern designers. These techniques provide the means to recreate even the most
complex patterns used by Islamic cultures of the past, as well as to create
original Islamic geometric patterns that are wholly in keeping with this great
tradition.
Jay Bonner’s research in this field has lead to his writing a book on this
fascinating subject: Islamic Geometric Patterns: Their Historical Development
and Traditional Methods of Derivation. This book is both an historical study,
as well as a comprehensive exposition of the traditional methods used in the
creation of these complex designs, with over 240 detailed illustrations. The
manuscript is currently with a publisher.
Jay Bonner has taught workshops and given lectures on the traditional methods
employed in creating these patterns.
The following Islamic geometric patterns are all original creations by Jay
Bonner, but all fall easily within the design parameters of this historic ornamental
tradition.
Click on the image to see a larger version
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This was designed in the 15th century Moroccan
self-similar style for application
to cut-tile mosaic (zillij).
Original design by Jay Bonner, 1999.
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Pattern with 11 and 13 pointed stars
This pattern uses an elongated hexagon as a repeat unit, and is equally
the product of 11 and 13-fold symmetry.
Original design by Jay Bonner, 2000.
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Pattern with 9 and 11 pointed stars
This pattern uses an elongated hexagon as a repeat unit, and is equally
the product of 9 and 11-fold symmetry.
Original design by Jay Bonner, 2000.
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7-Fold Pattern with 5 and 7 pointed stars
This pattern uses an elongated hexagon as a repeat unit.
Original design by Jay Bonner, 1995.
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7-Fold Pattern with 14 pointed stars
This pattern uses a rhombus as a repeat unit.
Original design by Jay Bonner, 1981.
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Pattern with 10 and 12 pointed stars
This pattern uses a rectangle as a repeat unit, and is equally the product
of 10 and 12-fold symmetry.
Original design by Jay Bonner, 1999.
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3-Fold Pattern with 10 and 12 pointed stars
This pattern uses a triangular repeat unit.
Original design by Jay Bonner, 1997.
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4-Fold Pattern with 9, 10 and 12 pointed stars
This pattern uses a square repeat unit.
Original design by Jay Bonner, 1990.
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4-Fold Pattern with 6, 7, 8 and 12 pointed stars
This pattern uses a square repeat unit.
Original design by Jay Bonner, 1991.
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5-Fold Pattern with 10 and 20 pointed stars
This pattern repeats on a rectangular grid.
Original design by Jay Bonner, 2000.
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3-Fold Pattern with 12 and 15 pointed stars
This pattern repeats on an hexagonal grid.
Original design by Jay Bonner, 1982.
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3-Fold Pattern with 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 pointed stars
This pattern repeats on an hexagonal grid.
Original design by Jay Bonner, 1989.
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Hybrid Pattern with 5, 7, and 12 pointed stars
This pattern uses both squares and triangles as repetitive units.
Original design by Jay Bonner, 2000.
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5-Fold Self-Similar field pattern
This self-similar design is in the Persian widened line technique.
Original design by Jay Bonner, 2001.
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Detail of the above
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4-Fold Three-Level Self-Similar
pattern
This design was created to demonstrate the fractal potential of Islamic
geometric patterns. In the 15th century, Muslim designers in
both Persia and Morocco refined their repertoire to include the sophisticated
tradition of self-similar, dual-level geometric patterns. The primary characteristic
of these patterns is a direct self-similar relationship between both levels,
and these examples may well be the earliest examples of true complex self-similar
art ever created. While not expressed historically, this self-similar relationship
can extend beyond just two levels, to three, four, five, etc. The example
pictured here reduces from level-to-level by a factor of 20.7114%.
Original design by Jay Bonner, as part of an enamel mural being made
in collaboration with Pat Musick for the University of Colorado, 2001. This
design was also used as an Eid Mubarak greeting card by Ken Livingstone,
the Mayor of London.
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5-Fold Aperiodic pattern
This is a 5-fold aperiodic Islamic geometric pattern. This design applies
traditional Islamic 5-fold pattern construction, with its attendant 10-pointed
stars, to the principles of Penrose Tiling.
Original design by Jay Bonner, 2002.
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