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Talar

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Thetalarof theChehel Sotounpalace inIsfahan

Atalarortalaar(Persian:تالار) is a type ofporchor hall inIranian architecture.It generally refers to aporchfronting a building, supported by columns, and open on one or three sides.[1][2]The term is also applied more widely to denote a throne hall or audience hall with some of these features.[1]

History

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The columned hall or porch has its roots inancient Persia,as seen in theAchaemenidpalace inPersepolis,as well as inGreco-Romanhouses and possibly even in the tents ofCentral Asiannomads who moved into Iran over the centuries.[1]Thetalarcan also refer to the representation of a throne carved on the rock-cut tomb ofDariusatNaqsh-e Rostam,near Persepolis, and above theporticowhich was copied from his palace.[3]

Thetalarwas revived in Iranian architecture underAbbas I(r. 1588–1629) during theSafavid period.Safavid architects appropriated the idea of a columned hall from Achaemenid examples and used it in the design of new royal palaces and pavilions, most notably theAli QapuandChehel Sotounpalaces inIsfahanduring the 17th century.[1][4][2]In these examples, thetalaris open on three sides.[5]

One of thetalars in thecitadel of Karim KhaninShiraz

Karim Khan Zand,the ruler ofShirazin the mid-18th century, borrowed from Safavid models and employed this feature in new ways for the design of his own palaces in Shiraz. Here, thetalarwas combined with aniwan(vaulted hall open to one side) to form pillared halls opening onto a courtyard on one side.[6]

Talaar-e Salam (Salute Hall),Golestan Palace

Under theQajar dynasty,which eventually captured Shiraz and reunified Iran at the end of the 18th century, this feature was imported to the new royal palaces in Tehran.[6][5]Under the Qajars, atalarcould refer to a relatively simple hall open on one side with columns, such as theTalar e-Marmar(containing theTakht e-Marmar,the Marble Throne[7]) built byFath Ali Shahin theGolestan Palacein the 19th century.[5]Thetalarcontinued to be a popular design feature of aristocratic houses and pavilions in Shiraz, such as those of theQavam family.[8]It was even employed during the early 20th century, under thePahlavi dynasty,as part of the Persianrevivalisttrends in architecture during this time.[5]

Description

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A 19th century Talaar would be centrally situated, often under the mainIwan,where evening services would be performed for members of theandaruni.Image is ofAmerian HouseinKashan.

In ancient times, as depicted in the sculptured façade of Darius tomb at Persepolis show, thetalarhad three tiers, with Atlant statues upholding each.[9]This design typified the subject-people of the monarch.[9]

Thetalarbuilt by theQajar dynastyas part of the Golestan Palace is a spacious chamber with flat ceiling decorated with mirror panels.[10]The walls are also decorated with mirror work calledaineh-kari,which produced numerous angles and coruscations.[10]

See also

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References

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  1. ^abcdBabaie, Sussan (2008).Isfahan and its Palaces: Statecraft, Shi`ism and the Architecture of Conviviality in Early Modern Iran.Edinburgh University Press. pp. 157–158.ISBN978-0-7486-3376-0.
  2. ^abGrigor, Talinn (2021).The Persian Revival: The Imperialism of the Copy in Iranian and Parsi Architecture.Penn State Press. p. 137.ISBN978-0-271-08968-3.
  3. ^One or more of the preceding sentences incorporates text from a publication now in thepublic domain:Chisholm, Hugh,ed. (1911). "Talar".Encyclopædia Britannica.Vol. 26 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 366.
  4. ^Alemi, Mahvash; Pirani, Khalil K. (2013). "Persian Gardens and Courtyards: An Approach to the design of Contemporary Architecture". In Petruccioli, Attilo; Pirani, Khalil K. (eds.).Understanding Islamic Architecture.Routledge. p. 76.ISBN978-1-136-85131-5.
  5. ^abcdGrigor, Talinn (2017). "Kings and Traditions in Différance: Antiquity Revisited in Post‐Safavid Iran". In Flood, Finbarr Barry; Necipoğlu, Gülru (eds.).A Companion to Islamic Art and Architecture.Wiley Blackwell. pp. 1089–1097.ISBN9781119068662.
  6. ^abGrigor, Talinn (2021).The Persian Revival: The Imperialism of the Copy in Iranian and Parsi Architecture.Penn State Press. pp. 142–144.ISBN978-0-271-08968-3.
  7. ^Grigor, Talinn (2021).The Persian Revival: The Imperialism of the Copy in Iranian and Parsi Architecture.Penn State Press. pp. 142–144.ISBN978-0-271-08968-3.
  8. ^Grigor, Talinn (2021).The Persian Revival: The Imperialism of the Copy in Iranian and Parsi Architecture.Penn State Press. pp. 171–176.ISBN978-0-271-08968-3.
  9. ^abBanerjee, Gauranga Nath (2012).Hellenism in Ancient India.Bremen: Outlook. p. 58.ISBN978-3-86403-414-5.
  10. ^abCurzon, George N. (2005).Persia and the Persian Question: Volume One.Oxon: Routledge. p. 312.ISBN9780714619699.