 Metal artefacts share the same geometric designs that are used in other forms of Islamic art . However , in the view of Hamilton Gibb , the emphasis differs : geometric patterns tend to be used for borders , and if they are in the main decorative area they are most often used in combination with other motifs such as floral designs , arabesques , animal motifs , or calligraphic script . Geometric designs in Islamic metalwork can form a grid decorated with these other motifs , or they can form the background pattern . 
