The Iconography of Islamic Art: Studies in Honour of Robert Hillenbrand / Edition 1

by Bernard O'Kane

Overview

People have been searching for meaning in Islamic art for centuries. Newly available in paperback, this book explores the iconography of Islamic art, presenting a diverse range of approaches to the subject.Despite this variety, there is an overarching theme: the linking of the interpretation of objects to textual sources. This results in a collection of in-depth studies of motifs as diverse as the peacock, trees, and the figure holding a cup and branch. In addition, new interpretations are presented of other objects, such as an Abuyyid metal basin or Mongol paintings.Textual sources on the Ka’ba or the use of marble provide a starting point for the examination of objects and their relationship to history. The architectural decoration of monuments from Egypt to India is analysed, and Arab and Safavid paintings are mined for meaning. Links with Christian elements in Sicily or Buddhist stupas are appraised.Generously illustrated throughout, this book will appeal to all those with an interest in Islamic art, architecture and iconography.Key Features• Lavishly illustrated with colour and black and white photographs and line drawings• Features contributions from leading figures including Sheila S. Blair and Jonathan M. Bloom• Presents new interpretations of Islamic art• Integrates the study of objects and related texts

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780748633678
Publisher:	Edinburgh University Press
Publication date:	08/16/2007
Pages:	352
Product dimensions:	7.40(w) x 9.60(h) x 0.80(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Bernard O’Kane is Professor of Islamic Art and Architecture at the American Universityin Cairo. He is the author of Timurid Architecture in Khurasan (1987), Studies in Persian Art and Architecture (1996) and Early Persian Painting (2003); and the editor of Treasures of Islamic Art in the Museums of Cairo (2006).

Table of Contents

Preface; List of Illustrations; 1. Birds and Blessings: A Kohl-Pot from Jerusalem; Sylvia Auld; 2. Remarks on the Iconography of the Medieval Capitals of Cairo: Form and Emplacement; Marianne Barrucand; 3. A Mongol Envoy; Sheila S. Blair; 4. Almoravid Geometric Designs in the Pavement of the Cappella Palatina in Palermo; Jonathan M. Bloom; 5. A Kingly Posture: The Iconography of Sultan Husayn Bayqara; Barbara Brend; 6. Musical Beasts: The Swan-Pheonix in the Ibn Bakhtishu' Bestiaries; Anna Contadini; 7. Cup, Branch, Bird and Fish: An Iconographical Study of the Figure Holding a Cup and a Branch Flanked by a Bird and a Fish; Abbas Daneshvari; 8. Islamic Incense Burners and the Influence of Buddhist Art; Geza Fehervari; 9. Vine Ornament and Pomegranates as Palace Decoration in 'Anjar; Barbara Finster; 10. Persianate Trends in Sultanate Architecture: The Great Mosque of Bada'un; Finbarr Barry Flood; 11. Silks, Pots and Jugs: Al-Jahiz and Objects of Common Use; Oleg Grabar; 12. Khusrau Parviz as Champion of Shi'ism? A Closer Look at Early Safavid Miniature Painting in the Royal Museum of Edinburgh; Ulrike al-Khamis; 13. 'Waves of the Sea': Responses to Marble in Written Sources (9th-15th Century); Marcus Milwright; 14. The Arboreal Aesthetic: Landscape, Painting and Architecture from Mongol Iran to Mamluk Egypt; Bernard O'Kane; 15. The Vicissitudes of Rustam; B. W. Robinson; 16. Made for the Show: The Medieval Treasury of the Ka'ba in Mecca; Avinoam Shalem; 17. A Pictorial Representation of the Hadith al-Thaqalayn in an Ilkhanid Copy of Bal'ami's Tarjuma-yi Tabari in the Freer Gallery; Raya Y. Shani; 18. Style versus Substance: the Christian Iconography on Two Vessels Made for the Ayyubid Sultan al-Salih Ayyub; Rachel Ward; Bibliography of Robert Hillenbrand's works.

Editorial Reviews

The reader will be delighted with this study, which as been produced by a group of experts in an exquisitely and extensively illustrated book.

British Journal of Middle Eastern Studies