Thousands of small wooden pieces are suspended from the roof timbers to transform the hall’s
ceiling into the 7 layers of heaven above the throne. The muslim fascination with patterning
takes on 3D form in muqarnas vaults like the one in the hall of the two sisters. Kufic inscriptions were also prominent in the decoration of luxury objects. It was often
imitated and used as abstract ornament by artists unable to read it. The making of solid gold
or silver vessels was prohibited; and although the ban was often violated