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570
Birth of Muhammad
The Prophet was born in Mecca, in the Hejaz region. By 610 he has recieved his first vision. By 632 the relegion had spread quickly. By this time his followers had control of Mecca, Medina, and much of Arabia -
Nov 1, 630
Ka'ba
The Ka'ba, situated at the center of the al-Harram Mosque in Mecca, is the literal center of the Islamic world. It is the quibla or the direction Muslims must face for prayer. The Ka'ba itself is a 15 foot square cube of granite with space inside. The outside is a simple form of ornamentation consisting of simple gold inscriptions from the Koran. -
Nov 1, 656
Caliph Uthman is assasinated
This violent act was the frst of many in the struggle to assume the caliphate. (Ali would be assasinated in 661.) This event ultimately led to the schism of Islam into the Sunni and Shia sects -
Period: Nov 1, 661 to Nov 1, 750
Syrian Umayyad Dynasty
Hillenbrand pg 12 -
Nov 1, 700
Ctesiphon
In existence long before the 700s, this ancient city was contructed in the Parthian Empire in the first century BCE.Its importance to Islamic architecture and design came much later when the Islamic capital was moved to Bagdad. It had a great impact on the architectural aesthetic of the Islamic visual tradition, even though it was not contemporary to the Rise of Islam -
Nov 1, 705
The Great Mosque of Damascus
Built on the sight of a pre-Islam Christian basilica, the Great Mosque is rectangular in layout, a plan that would be emulated throughout the kingdom of Islam for centruries to come. It is one of the oldest and holiest Mosques in Islam created by the Ummayad dynasty. -
Nov 1, 750
Abbasids transfer caliphate to Bagdad
After the Umayyads were defeated by what were soon to b the Abbasids, the seat of power was moved from Damascus to Bagdad. Bagdad was a short distance from the ancient ruins of the Sasanian capital of Ctesiphon. This would impact the art in aesthetic ways as the culture came into contact with artistic norms from the past. -
Period: Nov 1, 756 to Nov 1, 1031
Spanish Ummayad Dynasty
Irwin -
Nov 1, 771
Islam enters Spain
Umayad survivor Abd al-Rahman escapes persecution to begin a new life in Spain. Cordoba became to capitol of Islamic Europe bringing both the religion and its culture into contact with the west. Islamic art and architecture would take on more western characteristics as the Muslims and the Christians struggled over religious spaces and power. -
Period: Nov 1, 1038 to Nov 1, 1194
Saljuq Dynasty
Irwin -
Nov 1, 1050
Fatimid carved rock crystal ewer
These immensely valuable object shows the opulence court life of the Fatimid Dynasty. Rock crystal was both prolific and elegant as a representation of this cultural revival. Stylized plant carvings recall earlier imagery from the Abbasid dynasty. -
Period: Nov 1, 1056 to Nov 1, 1147
Almovarid Dynasty
Irwin -
Nov 1, 1100
Saljuq mena'i ware
Detailed figures, arabesques, and a polychromatic color scheme are found on the inside of the bowl make the piece mena'i. Mena'i ware refers to the ornamentation style that mimics illumination techniques. These design elements would have been contemporary with a Seljuq shift towards adopting regional visual culture traditions. -
Nov 1, 1125
Al-Aqmar Mosque
Also known as the Moonlit Mosque, this mosque recalls earlier architecture from the Fatimid period, though its muqarnas are more emphasised. This has been attributd to the design principles of the young al-Amir and his vizier. It is also inmortant because it was one of the first mosques to have its facade aline with the street, not in the direction of Mecca. (though the quibla wall was indeed correctly aimed towards Mecca.) -
Period: Nov 1, 1130 to Nov 1, 1269
Almohad Dynasty
Irwin -
Nov 1, 1137
Kutubiyya Mosque
This mosque, situated in the Almovarid capital of Marrakesh, holds an important minibar,designed by al-Hajj Ya'ish. This minibar is reknown for its triangluar beauty and inclusion of sandalwood, ebony, ivory, and silver. This shows that even though the Almovarid dynasty initally rejected decadent culture, it ultimately excelled at it. -
Nov 1, 1150
Cursive Calligraphy
Calligraphers begin experimenting with cursive script in Eastern Islam. This allowed for faster copying of texts. It also changed the relationship between text and ornament. Text was now much more emotive and expressional and could easily blend in with the ornament. -
Nov 1, 1210
Pen Box
This shazi pen box shows the inovation of the Saljuq period. Thi Repousse technique is uses to create a more expressive script that terminates as representational animal and human figures. This shows a growing interest in astrology as the dynasty was adopting interests in astrology from the Turks. -
Period: Nov 1, 1217 to Nov 1, 1465
Marinid Dynasty
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Period: Nov 1, 1232 to Nov 1, 1492
Nasrid Dynasty
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Period: Nov 1, 1250 to Nov 1, 1517
Mamluk Dynasty
Irwin -
Period: Nov 1, 1256 to Nov 1, 1353
Ilkhanid Dynasty
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Nov 1, 1258
Sack of Bagdad
This event marked the end of a universal Muslim world. It becomes customary to patronize works of fiction in the book arts. -
Period: Nov 1, 1281 to
Ottoman Dynasty
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Nov 1, 1304
Baybar II’s Koran
This Koran excerpt shows the importance of medival book arts and illumination in the Mamluk period. The more emotive naski script allowed for a flowing aesthetic that stressed beauty over accessiblity and legibility. The focus of this manuscript was to show wealth on a portable surface, not to function as an actual text. -
Nov 1, 1342
Mamluk mosque lamp
This blown glass lamp shows the Mamluk aesthetic as it returned to a more simplified and repetetive ornamentation style. -
Nov 1, 1350
Persian Fritware
This example of Iranian fritware shows the phenomenon of importing visual culture from other areas into Islamic art. The pheonix, a traditional chinese symbol, is shown on a bowl that seems to be in imitation of chinese porcelain decoration. -
Nov 1, 1350
Great Mongol Shahnamah
This illuminated page shows a departure from religious subject matter into a more secular, narrative text. This ilkahnid illumination innovatively allows for the pictoral elements to bleed into the previously regulated text space. It also draws on chinese visual culture and representational techniques. -
Period: Nov 1, 1370 to Nov 1, 1506
Timurid Dynasty
Irwin -
Nov 2, 1380
Timur conquers Herat
Herat, no stranger to being conquered, became capitol of the Timirud empire for over 100 years. At its height it was the site of rigorous patronage and developed court life of the Timiruds. -
Nov 1, 1417
Ulugh Beg Madrasa
This Timurid creation brought about a centralization of intellectual thought and life o the region. It was part of a larger urban project around Registan Square in which monumental mosques, caravanserai, and bazaars were constructed. This interior view shows the high court style that the Timurids adopted from the Persians. -
Nov 1, 1440
Shahnameh made for Mohammad Juki
This manuscript was made for a Timirud noble. It combines many different styles, from as far away as China. It aslo shows figures with a different ethnic look than previous traditions. Though the Timiruds assumed Persian culture, they were of a turko-mongol origin. -
Nov 2, 1492
Al-Andalus is lost to Ferdinand and Isabelle
After centuries of conflict, the sultan Muhhamed XII surrenders to the Christian conquerors. The Moors are expelled from Spain, which becomes a relatively unified, Catholic country. -
Period: Nov 1, 1501 to
Safavid Dynasy
Irwin -
Nov 2, 1520
Suleiman the Magnificent comes to power
Known as the longest reigning Ottoman Sultan, Suleiman instituted massive architectural projects. He ushered in the golden age of Ottoman visual culture by renovating the Dome of the Rock and the Topkapi Palace -
Period: Nov 1, 1526 to
Mughal Dynasty
Irwin -
Nov 1, 1548
Suleymaniye Complex
This Ottoman Complex was constructed by Suleyman the Magnificent. The complex mosque combines the Islamic visual culture with the Byzantine traditions fostered in monuments like the Hagia Sophia. The rest of the complex speaks to the Ottoman traditional of combining both religious and social services within the same space. This way, Suleyman could be both the benevolent benefactor and charitable Muslim. -
Nov 1, 1550
The Emperor’s Carpet
This textile is thought to be a product of Herat, a cultural capitol of the Safavid realm. Its rich colors paired with figural and ornamental decoration show the culture's courtly culture. It also references illumination and chinese illustration traditions in its ornamenation style. -
Nov 2, 1556
Akbar comes to power
At the young age of 13, Akbar became the third Mughal emperor. His reign was characterized by a tollerant outlook that allower for religious freedom and artistic creativity. He established the Mughal School which ushered in the golden age of Mughal visual culture, which combined influences from Buddhist, Hindu, and European traditions into a new style of illumination. -
Nov 1, 1575
Iznik tile
Iznik fritware and tilework came about as the Ottoman empire began adapting Chinese visual culture into their own visual traditions. The color palate and themes of east asia were combined with Islamic Arabesques to create a new sytle of artwork. Iznik tile was also a cheaper and more efficient alternative to mosiacs when it came to mosque and monument ornamentation. -
Page from Harivamsa
This islamic illuminated secular text displays the intimate connection of the Persian Islamic world with the cultural identity of India. Indian characters and styles merge with a Persian translation of the text. Though Akbar (the patron of these works) was Muslim, he was very tollerant of other religions. -
Ali Qapu
This Saffavid creation was constructed by Shah Abbas. It shows the power of the royal family. This structure is not religious by nature but rather speaks to a more courtly function. Its seemingly gravity defying veranda allowed the Shah to watch over the square and all activites that took place there. It also symbolizes the power held by the Saffavid dynasty at the time -
Taj Mahal
Built by the Mughal emporor Shah Jahan, this mosoleum was constructed out of honor for his late wife. This monument is the epitome of Mughal architecture as it draws upon Persian, Timurid, and early mughal architecure in accordance with the Mugal penchant for incorperation. The use of white marble shows a refinement hitherto unseen in Mughal architecture. -
Mumtaz Mahal dies
The tragid death of Shan Jahan's wife in childbirth left him grief stricken. In an effort to memorialize her, he began constructing the Taj Mahal as a monument and tomb. -
Abbasid Bowl
This bowl shows a polychrome style representative of the Abbasid caliphate and their interest in the portable arts. The ornamentation shows a disregard for the circular shape of the bowl which is also quite common in this culture and time period. -
Samarra Bowl
This earthenware is a bowl with gold luster painting. This luster technique consisted of a double firing technique in which the bowl was first fired with a white slip then fired again at a lower temperature with a different glaze that took on the appearance of gold. The style is also characteristic of Samarra with its bevelled imagery. -
Kufic Script (Abbasid Koran)
This page of Koranic writing shows the importance of caligraphy to Islamic visual culture. The kufic script highlights a rather early period in Islamic culture and is characterized by clean lines and legibility. Simple ornamentation is included (such as the gold discs) to denote daily readings. -
Dome of the Rock
This monument was constructed to commemorate Muhhamed's night journey to heaven. Its layout draws on the Byzantine tradition that precluded Islam. Its outside is decorated with Iznik tilework dating back to the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent (many centuries after its Ummayad construction) . The inner dome ornamentation was also financed by Suleiman and is an opulent combination of Koranic verses, marble, and faience. -
Great Mosque of Cordoba
This mosque is most known for its hypostyle hall, comprised of 856 columns. These columns meet in red and white voussoirs. Initially a shared Christian and Islamic religious space, it was soley a mosque until the city was captured by Ferdinand of Spain and the space was converted into a Catholic cathedral. -
Period: to Nov 1, 1258
Abbasid Dynasty
Irwin -
Period: to Nov 1, 1171
Fatimid Dynasty
