The Aesthetics of Muqarnas Executed on the Two Platforms (Dikkas) of the Ahmed Pasha Mosque and the Mustafa Kharji Mosque: A Comparative Analytical Study

Abstract

This study presents a comparative analysis of the aesthetics of the muqarnas executed on the two platforms (dikkas) of the Ahmed Pasha Mosque and the Mustafa Kharji Mosque, aiming to uncover the formal characteristics of these ornaments and to elucidate their relationship with the elements of light and void. The significance of the research lies in its examination of the dikka as a rare carrier of muqarnas—a complementary architectural element that has not received sufficient attention in previous studies from the perspective of architectural decorative analysis. The study seeks to answer a fundamental problem: How did the stylistic contrast of the muqarnas manifest between the two mosques, despite the proximity of their historical milieus? To achieve this goal, the study adopted a methodology that combines description and formal analysis, along with bilateral comparison, relying in its data collection on field inspection and systematic visual documentation.