 Even where metal objects such as bowls and dishes do not seem to have geometric decoration , still the designs , such as arabesques , are often set in octagonal compartments or arranged in concentric bands around the object . Both closed designs ( which do not repeat ) and open or repetitive patterns are used . Patterns such as interlaced six @-@ pointed stars were especially popular from the twelfth century . Eva Baer notes that while this design was essentially simple , it was elaborated by metalworkers into intricate patterns interlaced with arabesques , sometimes organised around further basic Islamic patterns , such as the hexagonal pattern of six overlapping circles . 
