geometric, floral and epigraphic designs

Evidence

"Ettinghausen too, argues that the ‘pervasive influence’ of geometric, floral and epigraphic designs ‘in a mostly illiterate and publicly frugal but emotionally responsive community which was endeavoring to find salvation without the immediate intercession of a prophet or saints and without the help of a clergy.’"

Remarks

The text explores the 'cultural relativist' perspective, where pigments and forms such as geometric and floral designs are seen as part of a 'common language' or 'aesthetic legacy' that holds 'overriding and unifying characteristics' across the Dār al-Islām (p. 18-20). The author critiques this view for being teleological rather than empirical (p. 23).