Migrating Inventions

A striking parallel emerges between the iconic dome of Florence's cathedral, designed by Brunelleschi in the Early Renaissance, and the 14th-century mausoleum of Oljaitü in Soltaniyeh, Iran. Despite temporal and spatial separation, both structures share advanced constructive techniques, challenging Western-centric narratives of architectural innovation. This study reveals that Brunelleschi's double-shell brickwork was not an isolated Western breakthrough but a technique rooted in Iranian traditions, underscoring the transcontinental exchange of knowledge along the Silk Road. Through material analysis and historical evidence, it demonstrates how craftsmanship and technical ingenuity migrated between Florence and Iranian cities like Tabriz and Soltaniyeh from the 13th to the 15th centuries, facilitated by oral transmission. The research proposes a new classification system for domed structures based on material processes and technical innovation, advocating for a more inclusive global architectural history.

Donetti, D., & Vigotti, L. (2025). Migrating Inventions. Transcultural Histories of Art and Artisanal Epistemologies, 175–191. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003456681-14