-
500
Arch of Ctesiphon
This structure with the vast arch of its iwan--serving as the opening to a deep, barrel-vaulted audience hall-- was a model for later Abbassid palaces. Sasanian architects were pioneers in the creation of the iwan-- a key feature of future Islamic buildings. -
525
"Antioch Chalice"
This ornately decorate piece is unique for its expressive effect and the semblance of order within chaos. Although the ornament is not grounded in a particular context, it exemplifies Bzyantine art with its lush textures created by deep carving. -
532
Hagia Sophia in Constantinople
The most well-known of Bzyantine monuments, began by Emperor Justinian I in 532. It inspired many generations of Islamic architects, particularly the Ottomans and the famed Sinan's multiple projects. -
Jan 1, 620
Prophet Muhammad's House and Mosque
This simple hypostyle mosque served as a basic template for future mosques and introduced the mosque as an architectural type. The left side served as living quarters for Muhammed and his wives, the rear was a portico coverd with palm leaves to protect the faithful while praying, and the north side faced Jerusalem-- the orginal direction of prayer until 623 when the direction changed to Mecca. It was destroyed by a fire. -
Jan 1, 651
Establishment of standard text of the Quran
In 651, Uthman commissioned a comittee to produce a standardized Quran. By doing so, this holy text became consolidated and a source of influence for all Muslims, including artists, architects and calligraphers. Moreover, the Quran does not lend itself to illustration, but future caliphs and leaders produced marvelous copies of this holy text. It also allowed for easy spread of the religion, especially propaganda via Quranic quotations. -
Period: Jan 1, 661 to Aug 6, 750
Ummayad Caliphate
Ended with the death of Marwan II. -
Period: Jan 1, 711 to Jan 1, 1031
Spanish Ummayads
-
Period: Jan 1, 750 to Feb 10, 1258
Abbasid Caliphate
-
Sep 1, 751
Introduction of Paper
After the Battle of Talas, paper was first introduced by Chinese captives into the Islamic world. However, it was not until the 13th century that paper became widely accessible, opening up an entire new market for visual arts, particularly shown in the book arts. Paper was cheaper than parchment, thinner than parchment and the sizes were variable, thus allowing for easier dissemination of ideas and visual arts. -
Jan 1, 1000
Rock Crystal Ewer
During the Fatimid dynasty, portable arts were a major production. One piece of rock crystal was delicately carved into this pear shaped ewer-- an example of virtuosity in that it takes a seemingly hard material and transforms it into a delicate and ornate object. -
Jan 1, 1010
Firdawsi writes the Shahnama
This text is the national epic of Iran, a mythical account of the Persian empire and a nationalized backlash against Arab culture and language. However, it was an incredibly important inspiration for several Islamic dynasties, including the Mughals, Timurids, Safavids, Seljuks, and others. Ultimately, it inspired the tradition of illuminated manuscripts and the book arts more broadly. -
Period: Jan 1, 1040 to Apr 1, 1147
Almoravid Dynasty
-
Period: Jan 1, 1040 to Jan 1, 1157
Seljuq Dynasty
-
Jan 1, 1050
Friday Mosque
Under the Saljuqs, Isfahan became the capital of the Saljuqs, which elevated the status of the city. The Friday Mosque with its 4-iwan plan was characteristic of Saljuq architects. This plan had a hierarchy of iwan sizes to distinguish major iwans from minor one with the major focus on the kibla wall domed iwan with its pishtaq. Additionally, the small domes allowed for structural variations and a slightly claustrophobic space with the many columns on the interior. -
Period: Jan 1, 1121 to Jan 1, 1269
Almohad Caliphate
-
Jan 1, 1125
Al Aqmar Mosque
This mosque marked the 2nd phase of Fatimid architecture-- a switch to smaller-scale mosques reduced to basic, essential features. Additionally, it is an example of the constraints of building mosques with the dense city of Cairo. As such, the orientation of the facade of the mosque is in line with the street, but the prayer room is directed towards Mecca as the building rotates behind the facade. The niches are the front are decorational, not religious because of the alignment with the street. -
Jan 1, 1130
Great Mosque of Tinmal
This mosque, built by the Almohads, is a T-shaped mosque with a rectangular minaret placed in highly unorthodox position on top of the mihrab space. However, in many ways this can be seen as an indication that because they were so isolated they could approach things unorthodoxly without any issue. -
Jan 1, 1229
Great Mosque and Hospital of Divrigi
In contrast with the Iranian Saljuq Mosque, the Great Mosque of Divrigi has high relief detail demonstrated Bzyantine influence and gauged columns typical of Christian churches. The inclusion of a hospital on the property indicate the importance of multi-purpose instutions for the Saljuqs. -
Period: Oct 19, 1232 to Oct 19, 1492
Nasrid Dynasty
-
Jan 1, 1237
Maqamat
Link to Photo
The Maqamat shows the change of illustration that occured under the Ilkhanids with an increased interest in the observable world. This observable world was a reflection of the middle-class who were buying these manuscripts. The figures are more individualized and down-to-earth, compared with the swirly clouds and unrealistic space of earlier Ilkhanid book arts. -
Period: Jan 1, 1244 to Jan 1, 1465
Marinid Dynasty
-
Period: Jan 1, 1250 to Jan 1, 1517
Mamluk Caliphate
-
Period: Jan 1, 1256 to Jan 1, 1353
Ilkhanid Dynasty
-
Feb 10, 1258
Siege of Baghdad
This event was important because it marked the brutal end of the Abassids and the utter destruction of a city renown for its cultural and artistic importance in the Islamic world. Moreover, after the fall of Baghdad, Iran became prominent with its wealthy courts and patronage of the arts, particularly illustrated works of fiction. -
Jan 1, 1270
Tahkt-e Suleiman
Built by Abaqa Khan on a holy Zoroastrian site on the crater of an extinct volcano, the placement of this palace and its decorations were stepped in the ancient and mystical connections to the site. Star and cross tiles in fritware and lajvardina which lavishly decorate the walls, and its immense size and complexity make the palace complex an incredible Ilkhanid architectural feat. -
Jan 1, 1295
Ilkhanid Jar
This Ilkhanid Jar is an example of lajvardina-- a variant of lusterware technique with a two firing process, closely related to Saljuk mina'iware. This process allowed for painting in two phases, important because heat affects colors differently. Thus, the second firing allows for gold and other colors to adhere at a lower temperature. This process, a speciality of the Ilkhanid potters, allowed for finer detail and a broader color palette. -
Jun 16, 1295
Ilkhan Ghazan's Conversion to Islam
The Ilkhan Ghazan's conversion to Islam was important because with this decision, Islam became the offical religion of his terrority-- the Ilkhanate. This decision anchored his empire and his people in the Iranian lifestyle and culture-- a move which triggered an outpouring of visual arts celebrating national sentiment and Islamic piety. However, he remained open to a variety of religious traditions, allowing for a syncretic arts culture to flourish. -
Period: Jan 1, 1300 to
Ottoman Empire
-
Jan 1, 1304
Baybar II's Koran
During the Mamluk period, the patronage of illuminated Korans was a way for amirs to vy for power and prominence. This was a reflection of their political system, relying on slaves to populate the governing class and a brutal, violent system of sultan succession. This frontispiece exemplifies the formality and conservatism of this book art during the Mamluk period. Additionally, the parallels between metalwork and inlaid wood work on mosque doors are evident. -
Jan 1, 1325
Mosque Lamp
Mosque lamps served both a practical and ornamental function. Additionally, they were symbolic-- God as light, highlighted in Quranic passages. This lamp and others that were well-known is made with a gold enamel mixed with frit. The origins of this technique are unkown, but probably are contemporary with Iranian glassware. The body is wrapped in calligraphy, probably Quranic verses regarding light. -
Jan 1, 1347
Great Plague of 1347-49
The Great Plague and subsequent strains of the disease greatly affected the architectural projects of different dynasties, such as the Mamluks, and also wiped out a large part of the population-- artists included. Trade was greatly affected, however migration allowed for some spread of ideas during this time. -
Period: Jan 1, 1370 to Jan 1, 1507
Timurid Dynasty
-
Jan 1, 1380
Aq Saray Palace
The Timurids built legendary palaces, but all that is left of Timur's Aq Saray in Shahrisabz are these two ruins of an iwan. However, from primary source materials we can gather that the palace was an open oasis with an emphasis on water and shaministic heritage, as shown by the lion and sun emblem. -
Jan 1, 1440
Muhammad Juki's Shanameh
This Shahmaneh produced under the Timurids is unique for its watercolor painting and its preference for smaller figures with passive faces. Additionally, the fantasy landscape with a high horizon line is unique. This work comes during a period of the apogee of arts of Persian books and a classic Timurid style of smaller full page illustrations with finer details. -
Period: Jan 1, 1501 to
Safavid Dynasty
-
Jan 1, 1555
Tughra of Suleyman
Photo from Flickr
A statement of the Ottoman Sultan's authority, the tughra was used on any official correspondence as a signature and was uniquely designed for each individual Sultan. It was a specialized job with a specific person tasked with the calligraphy and assisted by an illuminator. -
Jan 1, 1571
Fatehpur Sikri Palace Complex
The palace of the Akbar, the first great patron of the Mughal arts. this structure clearly demonstrates the influence of Hindu tradition on Mughal architecture. Additionally at one end of the complex lies the Tomb of Sheik Salm Chisti, a sufi saint. The screens surrounding the tomb cast shadows across the floor increasing the mystical effect through architecture. Additionally, the use of red sandstone is unique-- a reflection of the physical location of the empire in now modern-day India. -
Jan 1, 1575
Iznik Tile
Photo from Flickr
Iznik pottery and tilework was a key part of the Ottoman visual tradition. This tile shows the saz style with the long feathery leaves and floral ornament set against a white slip background meant to imitate Chinese porcelain. There is also a clear affinity between tile and book arts. -
Harivamsa
Photo from Flickr
From the Mughals, this piece shows Hari Krisna protecting the people from Indra. It demonstrates the multiple cultural influences in Mughal art-- the Persian influence in the mountain shape and details of figures; the European tradition in some of the detailed elements of the landscape; and finally, the Hindu influence of the theme. Ultimately, this demonstrates the collaborative arts workshops of the time. -
Ali Qapu
Built by Shah Abbas I, this imperial building with its anti-portal encourages movement away from it, rather than towards it-- a sharp contrast to the other recessed portals in the Maidan-e-Shah. The columns of the Ali Qapu are like Persepolis, a deliberate connection to the history of the Pre-Islamic Era. Moreover, the thin columns emphasize the Safavids' focus on theatricality. This picture illustrates the music hall with its stucco murqarnas made of instrument cutouts for acoustic effects. -
Shah Mosque
Shah Abbas I wanted to demonstrate the primacy of religious order over secular order in his reign with this mosque. The recessed vestibule entrance welcomed believers led into a courtyard surrounded by a two story arcade. The domed sanctuary is flanked by rectangular rooms functioning as winter prayer halls. Important to note is the time-staking mosaic faience contrasted with the interior square tiles which artists could paint on directly for a faster method. -
Dome of the Rock
After a turbulent period in Ummayad history, this architectural effort commemorated a triumphal moment. Thought to upstage the Church of the Holy Sepuclure, this was a statement of victory and a direct dialogue with the Christian faith. Additionally, it is placed symbolically on a high point associated with Solomon's Temple, with the surrounding area connected to Abraham & Issac, as well as Muhammad's night journey. -
Earthenware Abbasid Bowl
This bowl, earthware slipped in a white glaze to imitate Chinese porcelain. The Kufic inscriptions made it accessible to the public, and indeed this was one of the earliest pieces to be inscribed with calligraphy-- a visual art that flourished under the Abassids. -
Great Mosque of Samarra
This Abassid mosque was at its time one of the largest in the world. Its minaret is incredibly visible and unique, essentially an Islamic ziggurat. The shape harkens back to Mesopotamia. Within the mosque itself, geometric and floral stucco carvings reflect the current decoration patterns of the time. -
Great Mosque of Cordoba
Orginally a Christian church, the building was first restructed as a mosque (based on the prototype of Muhammad's hypostyle mosque) by 'Abd al-Rahman I. This mosque is unique for its double-tiered arcade with alternating stone and brick pattern on the arches. The roman aqueducts were an inspiration for the double arcade. The original structure was later expanded by 'Abd Rahman II, Al-Hakam II, & the vizer Al-Mansur. After Ferdinand III conquered Cordoba, it was converted into a cathedral. -
Abd al-Malik's currency reform
Before the currency reform, the earliest Islamic coinage has vegetation for ornament. However, after the reform, coins had inscriptions in Arabic and nothing else-- these could easily further the propaganda efforts of rulers in furthering the faith. Many dynasties after followed similar suit. -
Abbasids overthrow Ummayad Dynasty
This event was significant because it not only signalled the end of the Arab dominion of power with a shift eastwards to Baghdad-- the new capital, but also because the change marked the eclipse of Syria and the weakening Greek influence. Baghdad would develop into a legendary city with a wide range of cultural influences and people, thus greatly influencing the trajectory of Islamic art. -
Ibn Muqla's al khatt al-mansub
Ibn Muqla set out to establish the principles for the perfect script, and developed such a formula based on rhomboid dots called the thuluth script. This stylized script stood in contrast with the angular Kufic script allowing for curved, large, elegant lines. This pattern would be used in centuries of visual and architectural arts to come. -
Period: to Jan 1, 1171
Fatimid Caliphate
