The technological and plastic values of the prayer niche

Research Summary:
The prayer niche is considered as one of the most important architectural features of the mosque, which has become an area of artistry and creativity. Where art found favorable conditions for it to grow and flourish, because the Muslim artist was guided by nature to the rule that defines art as "every formation that satisfies good taste and feels beautiful." The prayer niche is one of the most important elements that the Muslim artist relied on to dazzle.
The prayer niche in its familiar form is the natural development of the sign indicating the direction of the prayer niche. The prayer niche was followed by several developments that took place in the course of the development that included the entire architecture of the mosque in terms of planning, building materials and decoration methods. The architectural and decorative features of the prayer niches in Egypt differed according to the time period in which they were established. They differed in form, elements, materials and materials used, as well as the technique of execution.
The prayer niche consists of several architectural elements, which are the cavity of the prayer niche (the body and cap), the columns, the arches, the inscriptions of the arches, as well as any other architectural elements related to the prayer niche such as the dome of the prayer niche, or the circular window above. The types of prayer niches differed between the fixed prayer niche, including (flat, hollow, and manic), and the mobile prayer niche. Many floral motifs were used in the decoration of the prayer niches, including arabesques, flowers, plant leaves, vases ... etc., then geometric motifs, including star dishes, radiating lines ....... etc., as well as calligraphy decoration from Quranic verses.
Various materials and materials were used in the structure and formation of the prayer niche, such as limestone, plaster, bricks, marble, marble mosaics, and ceramic tiles. Among the most prominent materials used in the formation and decoration of prayer niches, the most common are marble and marble mosaic. There has been some development in the technology of forming and decorating prayer niches in marble and marble mosaic.