The Rise of Islam

Minaret, Morocco

Umayyads=First Islamic ruling dynasty, from 650 to 750, focused in Syria
Abbasids=Dynasty to conquer the Umayyads, ruling from Iraq 750-950
Caliph (Arabic “Khalifa”)=Successor, leader of the faithful after Muhammad’s death
Koran or Quran (Qur’an)=Holy Book of Islam, often the source of inscriptions on art
Mosaics=Small pieces of glass, marble, stone, ceramics cemented into a design, usually on a wall or ceiling. Mosaics tend to         appear rich, shiny and abstract.
Stucco=Slow drying plaster than can be shaped, carved or molded for decoration

Early Islamic Monuments
Kaaba, Mecca, Saudi Arabia, f.4
The prophet’s House, Medina, before 632, f.7

Umayyad
Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem, Israel, 691, figs. 8-10
Great Mosque of Umayyads, 706-15, Damascus, Syria, f. 11 & websites below
Umayyad mosaic decoration, Mosque, Damascus, f. 13         
            http://users.telerama.com/~jdehullu/islam/umay_03.htm
            http://www.islamicity.com/culture/MOSQUES/Asia/damascus.htm
Umayyad Mosaic, Lion Hunting Gazelles, 8^th century, f. 14 (palace decoration) 

Abbasid
Great Mosque at Samarra, Iraq, 848-52, figs 15-16
Mosque at Kairouan, North Africa, 836 (Tunisia), figs. 18-20 and website below
            http://www.sacredsites.com/africa/tunisia.html
Mosque of the Three Doors, Kairouan, North Africa (Tunisia), 866, fig. 21
Dancing Girls, Dar al-Khilafa Palace, Samarra, 9^th century, wall painting, f. 24
Stucco wall panel, palace at Samarra, f. 6

Decorative Arts: Objects of Daily Use
Glazed Clay Water Pitcher (Ewer), early 8^th century, f. 56 (in the Met)
Glazed Earthenware Bowl, 9^th century, f. 58
Bowl with Bird, 9^th century, f. 62
King Hunting Boars and Lions, 7^th-8^th century, f. 63
Incense Burner (Pavilion), 8^th-9^th century, f. 65 (in the Freer)
Ewer (Bird), signed by Sulayman, 796, f. 67

The Highest Art
Blue Koran, 9^th-10^th century, probably Kairouan, gold & silver on dyed parchment, f. 37

Islamic Spain

Nasrid Dynasty: Last Islamic dynasty in Spain, ruling Southern Spain from Granada 1230-1492 as     vassals of the Spanish Christian kings until conquered by them.
Pyxis=carved circular container with sloping lid, to hold precious contents
Muquarnas=tiers of niche-like decoration (in concave units), described as honeycomb or stalactite
Squinch=used to move from octagonal base to circular dome, the arch-shaped supports spanning     the corners under a dome; an arch across a corner to support a circular structure above

Umayyad Spain
Dome, Mosque at Cordoba, in maqsura, 965, f. 74
Plan, Mosque at Cordoba, showing expansions, f. 75
Interior, Mosque at Cordoba, f. 76
View of columns in prayer hall, see website below:
            http://www.islamicity.com/Culture/MOSQUES/Europe/TMp105b.htm

Nasrid Spain
The Alhambra, Granada, Spain, 1238-1358, f. 98-100
Tile, Alhambra, Hall of Ambassadors, f. 73
Alhambra Vase, 13th-14th century 

Luxury Objects
Gilded Silver Box, 976, f. 136
Ivory box, 1004-5, f. 137
Pyxis of al-Mughira, 968, probably Cordoba, pictures with details below:                                            http://cartelen.louvre.fr/cartelen/visite?srv=car_not_frame&idNotice=20942

Islamic Africa

Egypt
Fatimids=Dynasty that conquered Egypt in 969, bringing an era of spender to the country. The Fatimids claimed to be                 descended from Fatima, a daughter of Muhammad. The Fatimids are Shiites.
Mamluks=Ruling dynasty from 1260-1517.  Mamluk is Arabic for “one who is owned,” and refers to origins of the Mamluks         as slaves.
Lustreware=earthenware ceramics with a metallic sheen, allowing for free, fluid brush work, but         requiring a second firing         in a special kiln at controlled temperatures.

For information about Saladin, visit http://members.tripod.com/~snowlion2/slahadin.html
    Click on the music before reading. There are lots of other Saladin sites, too.

Abbasid
Nilometer, 861 (oldest extant Islamic structure in Cairo)
Mosque of Ibn Tulun, finished 879, Fustat, Egypt (oldest mosque in Egypt), f. 17 

Fatimid
Rock Crystal Ewer, made for Fatimid Caliph, c. 975, fig. 135
Lusterware Bowl, 11^th century, Fatimid Egypt, f. 134

Mamluk
Caravanserais or Inn (Wikala), built 1504, best preserved in Cairo (Complex of al-Ghuri)
Complex of Sultan Hasan, begun 1356, Cairo, f. 95 & 96
Mamluk Basin, Egypt or Syria, c. 1300, (by Muhammad Ibn al-Zayn) f. 148
Mamluk Mosque Lamp, 1340, f. 149 

Ottoman
Mosque of Muhammad Ali, 1824-57, in Citadel built by Saladin 12^th century (Ayyubids) Visit this site for pictures: http://www.touregypt.net/alabastermosque.htm 

Sub-Saharan Africa
Djenne, Mali, Friday Mosque (Mud Mosque), 13^th century (rebuilt 20^th century)

India

 Terms
Mughals=Ruling Muslim dynasty in India from 1526-1857, claiming descent from the Mongols. Famous for their elaborate             tombs and palaces, placed in rich garden settings.
Mausoleum=a stately tomb, usually formal, grand and elaborate
Chhatris=small open and domed rooftop pavilions, kiosk-like decorative structures, derived from Hindu architecture
Jalis=carved stone screens 

For definitions of terms with online illustrations, visit the site below.
http://www.art-and-archaeology.com/india/hum3.html

Monuments
Tomb of Humayun, Delhi, 1562-72
Fatehpur Sikri, 1573-74 (built by Akbar) fig. 172, 173
The Red Fort, Agra, 1565 (built by Akbar, reinforced by his great-grandson, Aurangzeb)
Tomb of Jahangir, Lahore, 1628-38
The Taj Mahal, Agra, 1631-47 (built by Shah Jahan) fig.174, 151, good distant view f. 3 

Painting
Bichitr, Jahangir Handing Book to Sufi, watercolor on paper, c.1615-18, Freer/DC, f.175
Mughal Miniature, The Construction of Fatehpur Sikri, from Akbarnama, c.1586, f. 186
Mughal Miniature, Mughal Camp, copy of Akbarnama, c. 1590, f. 209 (rich tents and  fabric screens)
Mughal Miniature, Akbar Riding a Demented Elephant, from Akbarnama, c. 1590 

Objects of Wealth
White Jade Wine Cup, belonging to Shah Jahan, 1656-7, f. 219
Jewelled Dagger, early 17^th century, f. 220
Prayer Rug, 2^nd quarter 17^th century, wool and silk, f. 207
Riding Coat, silk and satin, c. 1630-40, f. 208, detail, f. 192

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