The Mausoleum of Ismail the Samanid in Bukhara, early 10th century.

The Iranian dynasty of the Samanids ruled in Khurasan and Transoxania from 
819 to 1005. The mausoleum is one of the masterpieces of Islamic brickwork. 
The play of light and shade on its patterns creates effects that approximate to 
polychromy. The basic form of the building - a cube surmounted by a dome - is 
typical of mausoleum.