Mosaics on Walls in Old Bukhara

1905
The Astrakhanid dynasty in Bukhara (in present-day Uzbekistan) during the 17th century was adept in its organization of urban space. One example is the Lab-i-Hauz complex, a trading area containing a square reservoir that provided water and served as a reflecting pool. Among the buildings in the ensemble is the Kukeltash Madrasah built in 1568–69 during the reign of Abdulla-khan II (1534–98). It was one of the largest religious schools in Bukhara, with 160 khujra (rooms) for scholars. Seen here is the iwan arch at the far end of the rectangular courtyard. Although damaged, the facade shows a remarkable array of ceramic decoration in elaborate geometric and floral patterns. At the top is a horizontal ceramic panel with a Perso-Arabic inscription in the Thuluth cursive style. The image is by Russian photographer Sergei Mikhailovich Prokudin-Gorskii (1863–1944), who used a special color photography process to create a visual record of the Russian Empire in the early 20th century. Some of Prokudin-Gorskii’s photographs date from about 1905, but the bulk of his work is from between 1909 and 1915, when, with the support of Tsar Nicholas II and the Ministry of Transportation, he undertook extended trips through many different parts of the empire. In 1911 his travels took him to an area of Central Asia then known as Turkestan, where he photographed the ancient monuments of Bukhara.

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Filename: 5877.jpg
Copyright: acku Afghanistan
Image Size: 1800x1717 / 685.9KB; 1905 Uzbekistan Buxoro Viloyati Bukhara Mosaics Arches Architectural Decorations Inscriptions Photo WDL 010533
Contained in galleries: UZBEKISTAN

1905<br />
The Astrakhanid dynasty in Bukhara (in present-day Uzbekistan) during the 17th century was adept in its organization of urban space. One example is the Lab-i-Hauz complex, a trading area containing a square reservoir that provided water and served as a reflecting pool. Among the buildings in the ensemble is the Kukeltash Madrasah built in 1568–69 during the reign of Abdulla-khan II (1534–98). It was one of the largest religious schools in Bukhara, with 160 khujra (rooms) for scholars. Seen here is the iwan arch at the far end of the rectangular courtyard. Although damaged, the facade shows a remarkable array of ceramic decoration in elaborate geometric and floral patterns. At the top is a horizontal ceramic panel with a Perso-Arabic inscription in the Thuluth cursive style. The image is by Russian photographer Sergei Mikhailovich Prokudin-Gorskii (1863–1944), who used a special color photography process to create a visual record of the Russian Empire in the early 20th century. Some of Prokudin-Gorskii’s photographs date from about 1905, but the bulk of his work is from between 1909 and 1915, when, with the support of Tsar Nicholas II and the Ministry of Transportation, he undertook extended trips through many different parts of the empire. In 1911 his travels took him to an area of Central Asia then known as Turkestan, where he photographed the ancient monuments of Bukhara.