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Jan 1, 630
Ka'ba, 630, rebuilt 692 and 1692, Mecca
The Ka'ba is the principal Muslim shrine and the goal of Muslim pilgrimage. All Islamic prayer is directed towards it. It is cubed shaped and is distinctive when compared to other places of Islamic worship. It was been frequently restored and is now black but was previously built in many other colors. -
Jan 1, 632
Death of the prophet Mohammed
The prophet Mohammed died in 632. By this time he had followers in control of Mecca, Medina, and much of western Arabia. This event begins the official beginning of Islamic art, although it developed from the existing work from the Sassanian and Byzantine empires. -
Period: Jan 1, 661 to Jan 1, 750
Syrian Umayyads
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Jan 1, 705
The Great Mosque of Damascus, Damascus, Syria, 705-715
This mosque was the first of its kind and mirrored many later mosques. Al-Walid bought the church of St. John, demolished it, and built over it. Much of the mosque is covered with elaborate wall mosaics. Because it was a "Friday Mosque" it also functioned as a space for political rallies, public announcements, the appointment of public officials, and funerary prayers. -
Jan 1, 710
Arab armies enter Spain from North Africa
Arab armies entered Spain from North Africa in 710. This leads to an Islamic presence in Europe, which was isolated and developed independently from the rest of the Muslim world. -
Period: Jan 1, 711 to Jan 1, 1013
Spanish Umuyyads
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Jan 1, 751
Paper comes to the Islamic world
Paper came to the Islamic world because of captured Chinese prisoners. Besides enabling an easier spread of ideas, paper introduced a certain separation of the design process from that of manufacture. This led to a greater development of ornamentation, and the establishment and maintenance of many styles. -
Jan 1, 754
Baghdad
Baghdad (the "city of peace") became the new capital of the Abbasid empire. This had repercussions for the culture, because it became a cosmopolitan city, and in a way the Islamic Rome. -
Jan 1, 1000
Ewer, c. 1000–50, carved rock crystal, , h. 19.5 cm , Victoria and Albert Museum, London
The Fatimid period was the height of rock crystal production in Egypt. Ewers like this one were extremely hard to make; a single piece of crystal was hollowed out until the side were extremely thin. With the portable arts, the Fatimids exlemplified creativity. -
Nov 2, 1010
Shahnama
Firdawsi rights the Shahnama (Book of Kings). The poem is the national epic of Iran and related societies. The Shahnama had profound effects on both the Persian literary tradition and the illustrated book arts. -
Period: Jan 1, 1040 to Jan 1, 1157
Seljuqs
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Period: Jan 1, 1062 to Jan 1, 1150
Almoravid
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Jan 1, 1067
Fatimid Looting
The looting and dispersal of treasures and artefacts from the Fatimid palace in Cairo takes place. The most valuable and precious artifacts were stolen and lost and we conseuqently now have a fairly limited knowledge of Fatimid art. -
Jan 1, 1125
Al- Aqmar Mosque, Cairo, Egypt, façade, 1125
The Al-Aqmar Mosque was very integrated into the city, and the facade of the structure was aligned to the street. It was unique for several other reasons including that it was one of the first mosques to have a decorated stone facade and it was built on top of shops. The mosque celebrates the revival of Fatimid splendor and significance through the revelation of the caliph. This mosque embodies the architecture of the time through its commitment to urbanism and emphasis on ceremony. -
Jan 1, 1150
Bowl, Seljuk period, Iran, mina’i ware, 8.1 x 19.7 cm, Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Minneapolis
Because of the fluidity and instability of this period, there was more of a focus on refinement and mixing different styles. This bowl is an example of mina’i ware, which was fired at a high temperature, and then a low one to allow for more color and details. The human, animal, arabesque, and calligraphic themes of mina’i ware were influences by the subjects that Seljuk artists painted for texts, and several examples directly relate to the stories in illustrated books. -
Period: Jan 1, 1150 to Jan 1, 1269
Almohads
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Jan 1, 1210
Pen box, Iran, 1210-11, Brass inlaid with copper, silver and black organic material,5 cm height x 30 cm length x 6 cm deep, Freer Sackler Gallery, Washington, DC
Metalwork was for a long time a leading art form that featured elaborate decorations. The signature of the artist on this box is a sign of the art’s status. Inlay work on brass was popular during this era, and silver and black organic materials were the favored metals for inlay. Embellishing works of art with inscriptions became increasingly popular during this period. -
Period: Jan 1, 1217 to Jan 1, 1465
Marinids
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Jan 1, 1229
Sultan caravanserai near Aksaray, Turkey, 1229
Caravanserais were important to trade routes, as all travelers needed a safe place to sleep. A single gate led into an open courtyard where there were stables and storerooms on the ground floor, and upper rooms that housed the staff and travelers. -
Jan 1, 1250
Alhambra, mid 13th - 16th centuries, Granada, Spain, Court of the Lions
This was a palace of royal leisure in Granada that was built over the course of several centuries. It is named the Palace of the Lions because of the fountain in the center of its courtyard. It had an extremely complex maqarnas ceiling, and elaborate stucco, tile work, woodwork, and inscriptions. -
Period: Jan 1, 1250 to Jan 1, 1517
Mamluk
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Period: Jan 1, 1252 to Jan 1, 1492
Nasrid
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Period: Jan 1, 1256 to Jan 1, 1353
Ilkhanid
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Jan 1, 1258
Sack of Baghdad
Baghdad is sacked by Mongols resulting in the end of an universal Islamic empire. The political divisions led to even more cultural and artistic divisions within the different regions of the Middle East. Also, the Mongols resulted in an even great influence of Asian art in the Islamic world. -
Jan 1, 1275
Brazier, second half of 13th century, Mamluk, Cast bronze inlaid with silver, 35 cm high x 39 cm wide, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
Braziers served as portable grills and heaters. The brazier features a blazon, which were popular at the time. His dynastic emblem, a five petalled rosette upon a circular shield, features prominently on both sides of each corner bracket. It is made with silver and brass, which were the preferred materials for metalwork. -
Jan 1, 1307
Tomb of Uljaytu, 1307-1313, Sultaniya, Iran
This tomb is all that is left of Sultaniya. It was the latest of building technology, with a huge dome rising from a octagonal chamber below (hexagonal tombs were a style of the time).There was an extensive use of brick and Kufic inscriptions. The exterior is glazed and unglazed tera cota and the dome is glazed brick. -
Jan 1, 1330
Great Mongol Shahnamah, 14th century, Ikhanid, Ink, colors and gold on paper, 22 x 129 cm, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
This was the greatest manuscript of the time. In this period there were new ideas and motifs, with a strong Asian influence. There is a restless energy shown by the contained borders. This illustration of a royal Mongol funeral procession is rendered with smooth calligraphic lines and clouds that are influenced by Chinese painting. There is more realism in this manuscript than in earlier styles of book arts. -
Jan 1, 1356
Sultan Hasan funerary complex, 1356-63, Cairo
The unruly succession pattern of the Mamluks resulted in uncertainty and paranoia. There was an emphasis on ceremony and a preoccupation with being remembered, which manifested itself in architecture. The scale of the building also sends an intimidating message, challenging the Citadel opposite. It was not intended to represent the ruling hand of the elite, but as opposition to the old ruling power in alliance with the people. -
Period: Jan 1, 1370 to Jan 1, 1507
Timurids
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Jan 1, 1380
Aq Saray, 1380-1396, Shahrisabz, Uzbekistan
The Timurid princes were prolific builders. Trademarks included monumental scale, colorful tile work, and bulbous double domes. The standing iwan is one of the largest built in the Islamic era surviving to date. The walls of the structure are encased in ceramic tiles colored mostly in light and dark blue. The building was meant to display the sacred status of the ruler. -
Jan 1, 1444
Shahnameh, made for Mohammad Juki, 1440s, Herat, opaque watercolor, ink and gold on paper, Royal Asiatic Society, London
Book paintings od this time contained drama within the landscapes but also featured a cool, elegant refinement. In this illustration, Chinese motifs, such as the swirling purplish-gray clouds and the tree stump are combined with realistic gestures. -
Period: Jan 1, 1453 to
Ottomans
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Jan 1, 1492
Fall of Granada
Granada falls to the Christians. This marked the end of Muslim art and architecture being created in Europe. -
Period: Jan 1, 1501 to
Safavid
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Period: Jan 1, 1504 to
Mughals
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Jan 1, 1548
Suleymaniye complex (architect: Sinan), 1548-1559, Istanbul, Turkey
In this complex the center is now the focus with a huge dome. The Ottomans felt like the successors to the Roman and Byzantine empires, and trends in architecture were uniformity and monumentality. In particular, they wanted to challenge the Hagia Sophia. Sinan, the chief court architect of his time and a significant figure in Islamic art, built the complex. -
Jan 1, 1550
The Emperor’s carpet, mid 16th century, Iran, silk (warp and weft), 7.5 x 3.3 m, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
The earliest textiles that have survived are from this period. This carpet is made from silk, the preeminent luxury fabric. Iran was one of the leading producers of silk in the Middle East. The deep red carpet dye was preferred, as it was longer lasting. In Iran the cottage industry was turned into a national, court-owned one. -
Jan 1, 1555
Tughra of Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent, c. 1555, Ink, opaque watercolors and gold on paper, 52 x 65 cm, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
A tughra is a stylized royal seal and signature used on royal edicts by the Ottoman sultans. In this example, administrative function and artistry have created a masterpiece of Ottoman calligraphy. -
Jan 1, 1571
Fatehpur Sikri palace complex, started in 1571
The Fatehpur Sikri palace is a spacious mosque and the palace itself contains a system of courtyard and pavilions in sandstone. There are many elements of Hindu architecture and decoration. -
Detached page from Harivamsa (The Legend of Hari Krishna), c, 1590-95
In this painting the god Krishna protects the people of Braj against the destructive rain sent by the god Indra. Eclecticism was very evident in the book paintings of this time. The Safavid style was transfused with a new energy and showed more volume and recession. To create this effect, Indian painters used European techniques. -
Dappled stallion, 16th to early 17th century, Mashad, Iran, colors, ink, silver and gold and paper, 20 x 13 cm, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
When patronage stopped artists began to produce single sheets, with a new interest in realism. The artist of this single painting demonstrates his virtuosity with the ornament of the saddlecloth, in a style known as sâz, or "fashioning." -
Taj Mahal complex, 1631-1647
The Emperor Shah Jahan in honor of his wife Arjuman Banu Begum built the Taj Mahal complex. The focus is the white mausoleum, which has a large reflecting pool in front of it to give the impression that it is floating. It is the climax of Islamic tombs. The seat of the Mughal Empire, the Taj's buildings together combine Indian, Persian, and Turkish architecture. -
The Great Mosque of Samarra, 848-851
At the time it was built, the Great Mosque of Samarra was the largest mosque in the world. It was a hypostyle mosque, based on Muhammad's, with rows and rows of columns. The minarets were inspired by Mesopotamian architecture. The mosque is also representative of massive Sassanian scale due to the strong Iranian influence. -
Bowl, 9th century; Abbasid, Iraq, earthenware, tin-glazed and stained , 20 cm diameter, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
This bowl, made in Iraq, is an example of the earliest Chinese-inspired vessels produced in the Near East. The central calligraphic design repeats “happiness” twice in kufic script. Abbasids were impressed by the translucent white surfaces of Chinese porcelain. They adapted this style, and pushed experiment and eclecticism to the next level. -
Dome of the Rock, begun in 691 by caliph Abd al-Malik, Jerusalem
The Dome of the Rock was built after a turbulent period and was meant to be a victory monument. It occupies a prominent position in Jerusalem, which is associated with Solomon's temple. The structure is also associated with Abraham and Isaac. Because it is in the form of a Roman Tomb, it is thought to mean to upstage a nearby church. -
Great Mosque, Córdoba, Spain, begun 785
The Great Mosque of Córdoba was built in an intentional Umayyad style. It features striped horseshoe arches, Roman double-arches, and a maqsura that sealed off VIP areas. With the mosque, the princes of Cordoba challenged the Abbasids as the divinely ordained rulers of the Muslim world. Cordobans were uneasily aware of their isolation from the rest of the Muslim world, but Cordoba was a sophisticated and multicultural city. -
The death of Husayn
The death of Husayn marks beginning of the Shi'at Ali ("party of Ali") or Shi'a sect. They supported the rights of the Prophet’s descendants to lead the Islamic community. This developed into a major schism of islam, which consequently effected culture. -
Cairo
The foundation of a new city at Cairo by the Fatimids is built. Cairo became a major center of the Western Islamic world, and developed unique forms of art and architecture, such as much more urban, city streets. -
Period: to Jan 1, 1258
Abassid Dynasty
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Period: to Jan 1, 1171
Fatimid
