The Beauty in the perspective of the Acehnese
Concerning the various buildings built in Aceh's past, it can be said, none of the buildings are empty of ornamental elements. It is so important because of the taste and aspirations of Acehnese people who love the art and the beauty. Loving the beauty, in fact, is one of the teachings of their beliefs, so it will be firmly entrenched in their socio-cultural life.
Houses, buildings of worship, shops and other buildings always have ornamental elements so pleasing to the eye and attractive, unique, showing a cultural identity and a separate aesthetic philosophy.
There are various ornamental elements that they have ranging from the general form of the building, the parts are deliberately added that serves to beautify, up to the exterior decoration and interior of the building. And one of the most dominant elements in decoration is to use floral motifs on many parts of the building, among others on the wood supporting the roof. That's as you can see in these pictures.
The shape is close to the shape of the wings, and it may be a cloud that has been floralized.
The conical shape down to resemble the tassels on the wall covering fabric inside the Acehnese home during a traditional event.
Artwork without signature
The floral motifs in these images are owned by an ancient mosque in a southern coastal city of Aceh, the Tampat Tuan (Meaning: the place of the master, now commonly called Tapaktuan). This artwork has been created by an unknown carving art sculptor. They usually do not put their signatures on the works due to the attitude of those who do not particularly like to mention and praised.
An antique Arabic calligraphy, which looks like it has also been floralized. I believe this Arabic calligraphy model will be hard to find even in Arab countries.
That attitude has contributed to the difficulty of Acehnese arts historians in writing the history of Acehnese arts. But, ya, we are still grateful when the buildings and their artworks are, at least, still left to this day.
Towards the heights
The floral motifs, as you see them, are stylized from leaves, leaf buds and flowers found abundantly in the environment in Aceh. That is a decoration depicting a life that continues to live and thrive, vibrant and uninterrupted. Some form of flower, in fact, very close to the shape of the wings, to imply that we need to fly to the heights, that is nobleness, and the wings are virtues.
This ornamental element is essentially a telling ; telling the minds and feelings of artists, which ultimately conclude that life would have no meaning if without the beauty, not only the beauty of the outer form, but more importantly the beauty of the inner.
From one corner of the ancient mosque in Tampar Tuan City (Today : Tapaktuan).