Includes bibliographical references (pages 303-314) and index.

Stylistic diffusion, adoption and adaptation : The process of diffusion ; Components of diffusion, adoption and adaptation ; Motifs, symbols and symbolism ; A nine-point framework -- Geometric patterns of culture : Principles, concepts and constructions ; Geometric analysis in the visual arts ; A small addition to a systematic analytical framework -- Cradles of civilization and initiators of trade : The development of international trade ; Motifs and compositions ; The royal standard of Ur and other treasures ; Neo-Assyrian sculptures ; The Ishtar Gate ; The Cyrus cylinder ; The Babylonian map of the world -- Facilitators and intermediaries in lands to the east : Ancient trade networks ; Examples of intermediaries ; Chinese dragon motifs ; The Oxus treasure ; Steppe art ; Gandhara sculpture -- Cultural interaction and exchange : Networks ; Textiles ; The Pazyryk carpet ; Hagia Sophia ; The ship cloths of Sumatra -- Stupas and mandalas : Buddhist stupas ; Tibetan thangkas ; Buddhist symbols and other imagery -- Mosques and minarets : The Umayyad origins of Islamic visual arts ; Relevant periods, caliphates and dynasties ; Motifs, symbols and patterns ; Islamic star tilings ; Mosque tilings of Shiraz -- Islamic Spain : Umayyad origins ; Achievements in various visual arts (manuscripts, textiles, ceramics, metal and wood) ; Mudéjar visual arts ; Great Mosque of Cordoba ; Alhambra palace complex -- Safavid Persia : Architecture ; Manuscripts ; Carpets ; Other textiles ; Ceramics ; A Safavid prayer rug cartoon ; The Ardabil carpet (Victoria and Albert Museum) ; Shiraz tiling façades -- Ottoman Turkey : Calligraphy and manuscript painting and binding ; Carpets ; Other textiles (including embroidery) ; Ceramics ; Motifs and symbols from Ottoman times ; Iznik pottery ; Symmetry analysis of motifs and patterns -- India and Pakistan : Architecture ; Miniature paintings and manuscripts ; Textiles ; Other visual arts ; The temple cloth of the mother goddess ; Kashmiri shawl motifs ; Shalimar Gardens ; Sindhi ajraks -- Unity in diversity: the visual arts of Indonesia : Monuments ; Visual art forms and techniques ; Motifs, symbols and patterns ; Borobudur ; Javanese batiks ; Indonesian ikats ; Prambanan temple complex -- The visual arts of dynastic China : Motifs and symbols ; Ancient bronzes -- East of east: Korea and Japan : Korea ; Japan -- Korean roof tiles, stone lanterns and pagodas ; Katagami stencils -- Conclusion.

This book investigates the cultural significance of pattern and symbol in decorative arts throughout history, demonstrating how connections and comparisons in geometrical pattern can be made across different cultures and how the significance of these designs has influenced craft throughout history. The book features a vast array of illustrative examples of symbol and pattern from a widespread number of historical and cultural examples, from Byzantine, Persian and Assyrian design, to case studies from Celtic, Japanese and Chinese patterns. In looking at each culture's specific craft style a strong emphasis is placed on showing how the decorative arts are underpinned with a strict geometric structure, and on explaining how reference to such structures can allow classification and comparison of data from different cultural or historical sources.

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