It was widely perceived in the Western media as a result of the Muslim prohibition against figural decoration.

However, no record of figural decoration of Hagia Sophia exists before this time.

Their figural decoration is on the belly.

In Athens, it was only produced rarely; figural decoration was even rarer.

The more elaborate temples were equipped with very rich figural decoration in the form of reliefs and pedimental sculpture.

Greek temples were often enhanced with figural decorations.

The external figural decoration is in the area of the handles, often framed by palmettes.

They also have circular medallions of figural decoration within the bowl.

Instead, we encounter an apparently different concept"of figural decoration.

It is adorned with rich figural decorations.