Why Was Early Islamic Art and Architecture So Diverse?

Islamic Art

Islamic fine art encompasses visual arts produced from the seventh century onwards by culturally Islamic populations.

Learning Objectives

Identify the influences and the specific attributes of Islamic fine art

Primal Takeaways

Cardinal Points

• Islamic fine art is not art of a specific faith, fourth dimension, place, or of a single medium . Instead it spans some 1400 years, covers many lands and populations, and includes a range of artistic fields including architecture, calligraphy , painting, glass, ceramics , and textiles, among others.
• Islamic religious art differs from Christian religious art in that it is non-figural because many Muslims believe that the depiction of the human course is idolatry , and thereby a sin against God, forbidden in the Qur'an. Calligraphy and architectural elements are given of import religious significance in Islamic art.
• Islamic art developed from many sources: Roman, early Christian art, and Byzantine styles ; Sassanian art of pre-Islamic Persia; Fundamental Asian styles brought past diverse nomadic incursions, and Chinese influences appear on Islamic painting, pottery , and textiles.

Key Terms

• Qu'ran: The primal religious text of Islam, which Muslims believe to exist the verbatim discussion of God (Arabic: Allah). It is widely regarded as the finest piece of literature in the Arabic linguistic communication.
• arabesque: A repetitive, stylized blueprint based on a geometrical floral or vegetal pattern.
• idolatry: The worship of idols.
• monotheistic: Believing in a single god, deity, spirit, etc., peculiarly for an organized religion, faith, or creed.

Islam

Islam is a monotheistic and Abrahamic faith articulated by the Qur'an, a volume considered by its adherents to be the verbatim word of God (Allah) and the teachings of Muhammad , who is considered to be the final prophet of God. An adherent of Islam is called a Muslim.

Well-nigh Muslims are of two denominations: Sunni (75–90%),[7] or Shia (10–20%). Its essential religious concepts and practices include the five pillars of Islam, which are basic concepts and obligatory acts of worship, and the following of Islamic law, which touches on every aspect of life and gild. The v pillars are:

1. Shahadah (belief or confession of faith)
2. Salat (worship in the course of prayer)
3. Sawm Ramadan (fasting during the month of Ramadan)
4. Zakat (alms or charitable giving)
5. Hajj (the pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in a lifetime)

Islamic Art

Islamic art encompasses the visual arts produced from the seventh century onward by both Muslims and not-Muslims who lived inside the territory that was inhabited by, or ruled by, culturally Islamic populations. Information technology is thus a very difficult fine art to define because it spans some 1400 years, covering many lands and populations. This art is as well not of a specific religion, fourth dimension, place, or single medium. Instead Islamic art covers a range of artistic fields including architecture, calligraphy, painting, drinking glass, ceramics, and textiles, among others.

Islamic art is not restricted to religious art, but instead includes all of the art of the rich and varied cultures of Islamic societies. It often includes secular elements and elements that are forbidden by some Islamic theologians. Islamic religious art differs greatly from Christian religious art traditions.

Because figural representations are generally considered to be forbidden in Islam, the word takes on religious meaning in art as seen in the tradition of calligraphic inscriptions. Calligraphy and the decoration of manuscript Qu'rans is an important aspect of Islamic fine art equally the discussion takes on religious and artistic significance.

Islamic architecture, such as mosques and palatial gardens of paradise, are as well embedded with religious significance. While examples of Islamic figurative painting do exist, and may encompass religious scenes, these examples are typically from secular contexts, such as the walls of palaces or illuminated books of verse.

Other religious fine art, such as glass mosque lamps, Girih tiles, woodwork, and carpets normally demonstrate the aforementioned style and motifs as contemporary secular art, although they exhibit more prominent religious inscriptions.

A calligraphic console by Mustafa Râkim (late 18th–early 19th century): Islamic fine art has focused on the depiction of patterns and Arabic calligraphy, rather than on figures, because it is feared past many Muslims that the delineation of the homo form is idolatry. The panel reads: "God, there is no god but He, the Lord of His prophet Muhammad (peace exist upon him) and the Lord of all that has been created."

Islamic art was influenced by Greek, Roman, early Christian, and Byzantine art styles, equally well as the Sassanian art of pre-Islamic Persia. Central Asian styles were brought in with various nomadic incursions; and Chinese influences had a formative outcome on Islamic painting, pottery, and textiles.

Themes of Islamic Fine art

There are repeating elements in Islamic art, such every bit the use of stylized , geometrical floral or vegetal designs in a repetition known as the arabesque . The arabesque in Islamic fine art is often used to symbolize the transcendent, indivisible and infinite nature of God. Some scholars believe that mistakes in repetitions may be intentionally introduced every bit a show of humility by artists who believe only God can produce perfection.

Arabesque inlays at the Mughal Agra Fort, India: Geometrical designs in repetition, know every bit Arabesque, are used in Islamic art to symbolize the transcendent, indivisible, and infinite nature of God.

Typically, though non entirely, Islamic art has focused on the depiction of patterns and Standard arabic calligraphy, rather than human or creature figures, because it is believed by many Muslims that the delineation of the human grade is idolatry and thereby a sin against God that is forbidden in the Qur'an.

Nonetheless, depictions of the human class and animals tin exist found in all eras of Islamic secular fine art. Depictions of the human form in art intended for the purpose of worship is considered idolatry and is forbidden in Islamic police force, known equally Sharia police force.

Islamic Compages

Islamic architecture encompasses a broad range of styles and the principal case is the mosque.

Learning Objectives

Describe the development of mosques, and their different features during different periods and dynasties

Key Takeaways

Key Points

• A specifically recognizable Islamic architectural style emerged soon after Muhammad'due south fourth dimension that incorporated Roman edifice traditions with the improver of localized adaptations of the former Sassanid and Byzantine models.
• The Islamic mosque has historically been both a place of prayer and a community coming together space . The early on mosques are believed to be inspired by Muhammad'southward home in Medina, which was the first mosque.

Central Terms

• mosque: A place of worship for Muslims, respective to a church or synagogue in other religions, oftentimes having at least one minaret. In Standard arabic: masjid.
• mihrab: A semicircular niche in the wall of a mosque, that indicates the qibla (management of Mecca), and into which the imam prays.
• minaret: The tall slender tower of an Islamic mosque, from which the muezzin recites the adhan (call to prayer).

Islamic Architecture

Islamic architecture encompasses a wide range of both secular and religious styles. The principal Islamic architectural instance is the mosque. A specifically recognizable Islamic architectural style emerged soon after Muhammad'southward time that incorporated Roman building traditions with the addition of localized adaptations of the former Sassanid and Byzantine models.

Early on Mosques

The Islamic mosque has historically been both a place of prayer and a community meeting infinite. The early mosques are believed to be inspired by Muhammad's home in Medina, which was the showtime mosque.

The Great Mosque of Kairouan (in Tunisia) is i of the best preserved and virtually significant examples of early nifty mosques. Founded in 670, it contains all of the architectural features that distinguish early mosques: a minaret , a large courtyard surrounded by porticos , and a hypostyle prayer hall.

Dome of the mihrab (ninth century) in the Bully Mosque of Kairouan, also known as the Mosque of Uqba, in Kairouan, Tunisia: This is considered to be the ancestor of all the mosques in the western Islamic globe.

Ottoman Mosques

Ottoman mosques and other compages first emerged in the cities of Bursa and Edirne in the 14th and 15th centuries, developing from earlier Seljuk Turk compages, with additional influences from Byzantine, Western farsi, and Islamic Mamluk traditions.

Sultan Mehmed II would later fuse European traditions in his rebuilding programs at Istanbul in the 19th century. Byzantine styles as seen in the Hagia Sophia served every bit particularly important models for Ottoman mosques, such as the mosque constructed by Sinan.

Building reached its peak in the 16th century when Ottoman architects mastered the technique of building vast inner spaces surmounted by seemingly weightless notwithstanding incredibly massive domes , and achieved perfect harmony between inner and outer spaces, also equally articulated light and shadow.

They incorporated vaults , domes, foursquare dome plans, slender corner minarets, and columns into their mosques, which became sanctuaries of transcendently aesthetic and technical residuum, every bit may be observed in the Blueish Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey.

The Blue Mosque, Istanbul, Turkey: The Blueish Mosque represents the culmination of Ottoman structure with its numerous domes, slender minarets and overall harmony.

Architecture flourished in the Safavid Dynasty , attaining a high point with the building programme of Shah Abbas in Isfahan, which included numerous gardens, palaces (such every bit Ali Qapu), an immense bazaar, and a large imperial mosque. Isfahan, the capital  of both the Seljuk and Safavid dynasties, bears the most prominent samples of the Safavid architecture, such every bit the the Majestic Mosque, which was constructed in the years after Shah Abbas I permanently moved the capital there in 1598.

Regal Mosque, Isfahan, Iran: Isfahan, the upper-case letter of both the Seljuk and Safavid dynasties, bears the well-nigh prominent samples of the Safavid architecture.

Islamic Drinking glass Making

Glassmaking was the well-nigh important Islamic luxury art of the early Centre Ages.

Learning Objectives

Describe the art of Islamic glass

Key Takeaways

Key Points

• Between the eighth and early on 11th centuries, the emphasis in luxury glass was on effects achieved past manipulating the surface of the glass, initially by incising into the glass on a wheel, and later by cutting away the background to leave a design in relief .
• Lustre painting uses techniques similar to lustreware in pottery and dates back to the 8th century in Egypt; it became widespread in the twelfth century.

Key Terms

• luxury arts: Highly decorative appurtenances made of precious materials for the wealthy classes.
• glassmaking: The craft or industry of producing glass.

Islamic Drinking glass

For most of the Middle Ages , Islamic luxury glass was the nigh sophisticated in Eurasia , exported to both Europe and Mainland china. Islam took over much of the traditional glass-producing territory of Sassanian and Ancient Roman drinking glass. Since figurative decoration played a small part in pre-Islamic drinking glass, the change in fashion was not sharp—except that the whole area initially formed a political whole, and, for example, Persian innovations were now almost immediately taken up in Egypt.

For this reason it is often impossible to distinguish between the various centers of production (of which Egypt, Syria, and Persia were the nigh important), except by scientific analysis of the cloth, which itself has difficulties. From various documentary references, glassmaking and glass-trading seems to take been a specialty of the Jewish minority.

Between the 8th and early on 11th centuries, the emphasis in luxury drinking glass was on furnishings accomplished by manipulating the surface of the glass, initially by incising into the glass on a wheel, and after by cutting abroad the groundwork to leave a pattern in relief. The very massive Hedwig glasses, only found in Europe, merely normally considered Islamic (or possibly from Muslim craftsmen in Norman Sicily), are an example of this, though they are puzzlingly tardily in date.

These and other glass pieces probably represented cheaper versions of vessels of carved rock crystal (articulate quartz)—themselves influenced by earlier glass vessels—and there is some testify that at this menses glass and hard-stone cutting were regarded as the same craft. From the 12th century, the drinking glass industry in Persia and Mesopotamia declined, and the chief production of luxury drinking glass shifted to Arab republic of egypt and Syrian arab republic. Throughout this catamenia, local centers made simpler wares, such as Hebron glass in Palestine.

The Luck of Edenhall: This is a 13th-century Syrian beaker, in England since the Middle Ages. For most of the Center Ages, Islamic glass was the most sophisticated in Eurasia, exported to both Europe and People's republic of china.

Lustre painting

Lustre painting, by techniques similar to lustreware in pottery, dates dorsum to the 8th century in Egypt, and involves the application of metallic pigments during the glass-making process. Another technique used by artisans was decoration with threads of drinking glass of a unlike color, worked into the primary surface, and sometimes manipulated past combing and other effects.

Gilded, painted, and enameled glass were added to the repertoire, as were shapes and motifs borrowed from other media , such every bit pottery and metalwork . Some of the finest work was in mosque lamps donated by a ruler or wealthy human.

Every bit decoration grew more elaborate, the quality of the basic glass decreased, and it often exhibited bubbling and a brownish-yellow tinge. Aleppo ceased to be a major center after the Mongol invasion of 1260, and Timur appears to take concluded the Syrian drinking glass industry around 1400 by carrying off the skilled workers to Samarkand. By virtually 1500, the Venetians were receiving big orders for mosque lamps.

Some of the finest work was in mosque lamps donated past a ruler or wealthy man. As decoration grew more elaborate, the quality of the basic drinking glass decreased, and it often exhibited bubbles and a brownish-yellow tinge. Aleppo ceased to exist a major centre after the Mongol invasion of 1260, and Timur appears to accept ended the Syrian industry around 1400 by carrying off the skilled workers to Samarkand. By about 1500, the Venetians were receiving large orders for mosque lamps.

Mosque lamp: Produced in Egypt, c. 1360.

Islamic Calligraphy

Calligraphic pattern was omnipresent in Islamic art in the Middle Ages, and is seen in all types of art including architecture and the decorative arts.

Learning Objectives

Explain the purpose and characteristics of Islamic calligraphy

Key Takeaways

Key Points

• In a faith where figural representations are considered an deed of idolatry , information technology is no surprise that the word and its artistic representation became an important attribute in Islamic art.
• The earliest form of Standard arabic calligraphy is Kufic script .
• Besides Quranic verses, other inscriptions include verses of poetry, and inscriptions recording ownership or donation.

Cardinal Terms

• Kufic script: The earliest form of Arabic calligraphy, noted for its angular form.
• calligraphy: The art of writing letters and words with decorative strokes.

In a religion where figural representations are considered an act of idolatry, it is no surprise that  the discussion and its artistic representation became an important aspect in Islamic art. The most important religious text in Islam is the Quran, which is believed to be the word of God. There are many examples of calligraphy and calligraphic inscriptions pertaining to verses from the Quran in Islamic arts.

ninth century Quran: This early Quran demonstrates the Kufic script, noted for its angular class and as the earliest grade of Arabic calligraphy .

The earliest form of Arabic calligraphy is Kufic script, which is noted for its angular form.  Arabic is read from right to left and only the consonants are written.  The black ink in the image above from a 9th century Quran marks the consonants for the reader.  The red dots that are visible on the page note the vowels.

However, calligraphic design is not express to the book in Islamic fine art. Calligraphy is institute in several unlike types of fine art, such as compages. The interior of the Dome of the Rock (Jerusalem, circa 691), for example, features calligraphic inscriptions of verses from the Quran too as from additional sources. As in Europe in the Middle Ages , religious exhortations such every bit Quranic verses may be included in secular objects, especially coins, tiles, and metalwork .

Interior view of the Dome of the Rock: The interior of The Dome of the Stone features many calligraphic inscriptions, from both the Quran and other sources; it demonstrates the importance of calligraphy in Islamic art and its utilise in several dissimilar media.

Calligraphic inscriptions were not exclusive to the Quran, but also included verses of poetry or recorded buying or donation. Calligraphers were highly regarded in Islam, which reinforces the importance of the give-and-take and its religious and artistic significance.

Islamic Volume Painting

Manuscript painting in the late medieval Islamic world reached its peak in Persia, Syria, Iraq, and the Ottoman Empire.

Learning Objectives

Talk over the origin and development of Islamic manuscript painting

Key Takeaways

Fundamental Points

• The art of the Persian book was born under the Ilkhanid dynasty and encouraged by the patronage of aristocrats for large illuminated manuscripts .
• Islamic manuscript painting witnessed its starting time golden historic period in the 13th century when it was influenced by the Byzantine visual vocabulary and combined with Mongol facial types from 12th-century book frontispieces.
• Under the rule of the Safavids in Islamic republic of iran (1501 to 1786), the art of manuscript illumination achieves new heights, in detail in the Shahnameh of Shah Tahmasp, an immense re-create of Ferdowsi'south epic poem that contains more than than 250 paintings.
• The medieval Islamic texts called Maqamat were some of the earliest coffee-table books and among the first Islamic fine art to mirror daily life.
• Masterpieces of Ottoman manuscript illustration include the 2 books of festivals, i from the end of the 16th century and the other from the era of Sultan Murad 3.

Cardinal Terms

• Mongols: An umbrella term for a large group of Mongolic and Turkic tribes united under the rule of Genghis Khan in the 13th century.
• illuminated manuscripts: A book in which the text is supplemented past the addition of decoration, such equally decorated initials, borders (marginalia), and miniature illustrations.
• miniature: An illustration in an ancient or medieval illuminated manuscript.
• muraqqa: An anthology in book form containing Islamic miniature paintings and specimens of Islamic calligraphy, normally from several different sources, and mayhap other matter.
• Maqamat: The plural for Maqāma, an Arabic literary genre of rhymed prose with intervals of poetry that often ruminates on spiritual topics.

Islamic Book Painting

Book painting in the late medieval Islamic globe reached its height in Persia, Syrian arab republic, Iraq, and the Ottoman Empire . The art form blossomed across the different regions and was inspired past a range of cultural reference points.

The evolution of volume painting commencement began in the 13th century, when the Mongols, under the leadership of Genghis Khan, swept through the Islamic world. Upon the expiry of Genghis Khan, his empire was divided among his sons and dynasties formed: the Yuan in Communist china, the Ilkhanids in Iran, and the Golden Horde in northern Iran and southern Russian federation.

The Ilkhanids

The Ilkhanids were a rich civilization that developed under the little khans in Islamic republic of iran. Architectural activity intensified every bit the Mongols became sedentary yet retained traces of their nomadic origins, such every bit the north–south orientation of buildings. Persian, Islamic, and East Asian traditions melded together during this menses and a procedure of Iranization took place, in which construction according to previously established types, such as the Iranian-program mosques , was resumed.

The art of the Persian book was built-in nether the Ilkhanid dynasty and encouraged by the patronage of aristocrats for large illuminated manuscripts, such every bit the Jami' al-tawarikh by Rashid-al-Din Hamadani. Islamic book painting witnessed its first gilded age in the 13th century, mostly within Syria and Republic of iraq.

Miniatures

The tradition of the Farsi miniature (a small painting on paper) developed during this period, and information technology strongly influenced the Ottoman miniature of Turkey and the Mughal miniature in India. Because illuminated manuscripts were an art of the court, and non seen in public, constraints on the depiction of the human figure were much more than relaxed and the human form is represented with frequency within this medium.

Influence from the Byzantine visual vocabulary (blue and gold coloring, angelic and victorious motifs, symbology of drapery) was combined with Mongol facial types seen in 12th-century book frontispieces. Chinese influences in Islamic book painting include the early adoption of the vertical format natural to a book. Motifs such as peonies, clouds, dragons, and phoenixes were adjusted from People's republic of china too, and incorporated into manuscript illumination.

Mongol soldiers, in Jami al-tawarikh by Rashid-al-Din Hamadani: The Jāmi al-tawārīkh is a work of literature and history, produced by the Mongol Ilkhanate in Persia. The breadth of the piece of work has caused information technology to exist chosen the first world history and its lavish illustrations and calligraphy required the efforts of hundreds of scribes and artists.

The largest commissions of illustrated books were usually classics of Persian poetry, such as the Shahnameh. Under the dominion of the Safavids in Iran (1501 to 1786), the fine art of manuscript illumination achieved new heights. The most noteworthy example of this is the Shahnameh of Shah Tahmasp, an immense copy of Ferdowsi'southward epic poem that contains more 250 paintings.

The Court of Gayumars, from the Shahnameh of Shah Tahmasp: Illuminated manuscripts of the Shahnameh were often commissioned by imperial patrons.

Maqamat and Albums

The medieval Islamic texts called Maqamat that were copied and illustrated by Yahya ibn Mahmud al-Wasiti, were some of the earliest coffee-table books. They were among the showtime texts in Islamic art to concord a mirror to daily life, portraying humorous stories and showing trivial adherence to prior pictorial traditions.

In the 17th century a new type of painting adult based around the album (muraqqa). The albums were the creations of connoisseurs who jump together single sheets of paintings, drawings, or calligraphy by various artists; they were sometimes excised from earlier books and other times created equally contained works.

The paintings of Reza Abbasi figure largely in this new grade of volume art. The form depicts one or ii larger figures, typically idealized beauties in a garden setting, and oftentimes employ the grisaille techniques previously used for background border paintings .

Mughal and Ottoman Manuscripts

The Mughals and Ottomans both produced lavish manuscripts of more than recent history with the autobiographies of the Mughal emperors and purely military chronicles of Turkish conquests. Portraits of rulers developed in the 16th century, and later in Persia, where they became very pop.

Mughal portraits, normally in profile, are very finely drawn in a realist style , while the all-time Ottoman ones are vigorously stylized . Anthology miniatures typically featured picnic scenes, portraits of individuals, or (in India peculiarly) animals, or idealized youthful beauties of either sex.

Masterpieces of Ottoman manuscript analogy include the two books of festivals, 1 from the terminate of the 16th century and the other from the era of Sultan Murad III. These books contain numerous illustrations and showroom a strong Safavid influence, maybe inspired by books captured in the class of the Ottoman–Safavid wars of the 16th century.

Islamic Ceramics

Islamic fine art has notable achievements in ceramics that reached heights unmatched by other cultures.

Learning Objectives

Hash out how developments such as tin-opacified glazing and stonepaste ceramics made Islamic ceramics some of the well-nigh avant-garde of its fourth dimension

Key Takeaways

Key Points

• The showtime Islamic opaque glazes engagement to around the 8th century, and some other significant contribution was the evolution of stonepaste ceramics in ninth century Iraq.
• Lusterwares with irised colors were either invented or considerably developed in Persia and Syria from the ninth century onward.
• The techniques, shapes, and decorative motifs of Chinese ceramics were admired and emulated past Islamic potters, especially afterwards the Mongol and Timurid invasions.
• The Hispano–Moresque way emerged in the 8th century, with more refined product happening subsequently, presumably past Muslim potters working in areas reconquered by Christian kingdoms.

Key Terms

• Hispano–Moresque manner: A style of Islamic pottery created in Al-Andaluz, or Muslim Kingdom of spain, which continued to be produced under Christian rule in styles that composite Islamic and European elements.
• lusterware: A type of pottery or porcelain having an iridescent metallic glaze.
• glaze: The vitreous blanket of pottery or porcelain, or a transparent or semi-transparent layer of paint.
• ceramics: Inorganic, nonmetallic solids created by the action of heat and their subsequent cooling. Most common ceramics are crystalline and the earliest uses of ceramics were in pottery.

Islamic Ceramics

Islamic art has notable achievements in ceramics, both in pottery and tiles for buildings, which reached heights unmatched by other cultures . Early pottery had commonly been unglazed, simply a tin-opacified glazing technique was developed by Islamic potters. The starting time Islamic opaque glazes can be establish as bluish-painted ware in Basra, dating to around the 8th century.

Another significant contribution was the development of stonepaste ceramics, originating from 9th century Iraq. The first industrial circuitous for glass and pottery production was built in Ar-Raqqah, Syria, in the 8th century. Other centers for innovative pottery in the Islamic earth included Fustat (from 975 to 1075), Damascus (from 1100 to around 1600), and Tabriz (from 1470 to 1550).

Lusterware

Lusterware is a blazon of pottery or porcelain that has an iridescent metallic glaze. Luster starting time began as a painting technique in glassmaking , which was then translated to pottery in Mesopotamia in the 9th century.

tenth century dish: Islamic art has very notable achievements in ceramics, both in pottery and tiles for walls, which reached heights unmatched past other cultures. This dish is from East Persia or Fundamental Asia.

The techniques, shapes, and decorative motifs of Chinese ceramics were admired and emulated by Islamic potters, especially after the Mongol and Timurid invasions. Until the Early Modern period, Western ceramics had little influence, but Islamic pottery was highly sought after in Europe, and was often copied.

An instance of this is the albarello, a type of earthenware jar originally designed to hold apothecary ointments and dry drugs. The development of this type of pharmacy jar had its roots in the Islamic Middle East. Hispano–Moresque examples were exported to Italy, inspiring the earliest Italian examples, from 15th century Florence.

Hispano–Moresque Style

The Hispano–Moresque mode emerged in Al-Andaluz, or Muslim Espana, in the 8th century, under Egyptian influence. More refined production happened much after, presumably by Muslim potters who worked in the areas reconquered by the Christian kingdoms.

The Hispano–Moresque style mixed Islamic and European elements in its designs and was exported to neighboring European countries. The style introduced ii ceramic techniques to Europe:

1. Glazing with an opaque white tin can-glaze.
2. Painting in metal lusters.

Ottoman Iznik pottery produced nearly of the finest ceramics of the 16th century—tiles and large vessels boldly decorated with floral motifs that were influenced by Chinese Yuan and Ming ceramics. These were withal in earthenware, since porcelain was not fabricated in Islamic countries until modern times.

The medieval Islamic world also painted pottery with animal and homo imagery . Examples are institute throughout the medieval Islamic world, peculiarly in Persia and Egypt.

Islamic Textiles

The most important textile produced in the Medieval and Early on Modern Islamic Empires was the carpet.

Learning Objectives

Discuss the making and designs of Islamic textiles

Central Takeaways

Key Points

• The production and trade of textiles pre-dates Islam , and had long been important to Middle Eastern cultures and cities, many of which flourished due to the Silk Road .
• When the Islamic dynasties formed and grew more than powerful they gained control over textile production in the region, which was arguably the most important craft of the era.

Cardinal Terms

• material arts: The production of arts and crafts that employ plant, animal, or synthetic fibers to create objects.

Islam and the Textile Arts

The fabric arts refer to the production of craft that use found, animal, or synthetic fibers to create objects. These objects can be for everyday use, or they can be decorative and luxury items. The production and trade of textiles pre-dates Islam, and had long been important to Eye Eastern cultures and cities, many of which flourished due to the Silk Route.

When the Islamic dynasties formed and grew more powerful they gained control over textile production in the region, which was arguably the most of import craft of the era. The virtually important textile produced in Medieval and Early Mod Islamic Empires was the carpeting.

The Ottoman Empire and Rug Production

The art of carpet weaving was peculiarly important in the Ottoman Empire. The Ottoman state was founded by Turkish tribes in northwestern Anatolia in 1299 and became an empire in 1453 afterward the momentous conquest of Constantinople.

Stretching across Asia, Europe, and Africa, the Empire was vast and long lived, lasting until 1922 when the monarchy was abolished in Turkey. Within the Ottoman Empire, carpets were immensely valued as decorative effects and for their practical value . They were used not just on floors but also every bit wall and door hangings, where they provided additional insulation.

These intricately knotted carpets were made of silk, or a combination of silk and cotton fiber, and were oft rich in religious and other symbolism. Hereke silk carpets, which were made in the coastal town of Hereke, were the almost valued of the Ottoman carpets because of their fine weave. The Hereke carpets were typically used to furnish majestic palaces.

Carpeting and interior of the Harem room in Topkapi Palace, Istanbul: The Ottoman Turks were famed for the quality of their finely woven and intricately knotted silk carpets.

Persian Carpets

The Iranian Safavid Empire (1501–1786) is distinguished from the Mughal and Ottoman dynasties by the Shia faith of its shahs, which was the bulk Islamic denomination in Persia. Safavid art is contributed to several aesthetic traditions, particularly to the textile arts.

In the sixteenth century, carpet weaving evolved from a nomadic and peasant craft to a well-executed industry that used specialized blueprint and manufacturing techniques on quality fibers such as silk. The carpets of Ardabil, for example, were commissioned to commemorate the Safavid dynasty and are now considered to be the all-time examples of classical Western farsi weaving, particularly for their use of graphical perspective.

Textiles became a big export, and Persian weaving became i of the most pop imported goods of Europe. Islamic carpets were a luxury item in Europe and there are several examples of European Renaissance paintings that document the presence of Islamic textiles in European homes during that time.

The Ardabil Carpeting, Persia, 1540: The Ardabil Carpet is the finest example of 16th century Farsi carpet production.

Indonesian Batik

Islamic textile product, however, was not express to the carpet. Royal factories were founded for the purpose of material production that also included cloth and garments.

The evolution and refinement of Indonesian batik cloth was closely linked to Islam. The Islamic prohibition on certain images encouraged batik design to go more abstruse and intricate. Realistic depictions of animals and humans are rare on traditional batik, but serpents, puppet-shaped humans, and the Garuda of pre-Islamic mythology are all commonplace.

Although its existence in Republic of indonesia pre-dates Islam, batik reached its high betoken in the royal Muslim courts, such every bit Mataram and Yogyakarta, whose Muslim rulers encouraged and patronized batik production. Today, batik has undergone a revival, and cloths are used for other purposes as well wearing, such as wrapping the Quran.

Javanese court batik: The development and refinement of Indonesian batik cloth was closely linked to Islam.

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Source: https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-arthistory/chapter/introduction-to-islamic-art/

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