Islamic Art - Mosques, Ceramics, Calligraphy, and More

There are many forms of Islamic art

These include Mosques, Ceramics, and Calligraphy. Islamic art has a rich tradition of ornamentation. Examples of this include the lajvardine bowl. Lajvard comes from the Persian word for cobalt. This bowl has a beautiful pattern and is often used as a decorative object. It is also an ideal gift for a friend or loved one. Its beauty can be seen in many places around the world.

Calligraphy

One of the most important masters of Islamic calligraphy was Ibn al-Bawwab. This scribe lived in Baghdad and was inspired by the calligraphy of the last Abbasid caliph, al-Mustasim Billah. He became an important religious figure and refined the calligraphic techniques of his teacher.

In order to learn the techniques of Islamic calligraphy, students must observe the master in person. This allows students to watch their master's hand movements and learn how to hold the qalam (pen). It is also important that calligraphers have healthy hands, and it's not uncommon for them to keep their hands inside the buttons of their shirts.

Silks

A collection of Islamic art silks from around the world is the subject of a new exhibition at the MFA Boston. The exhibition, Ink, Silk, and Gold, will explore the diverse traditions of Islamic art from the eighth century to the present day. Designed to be both informative and accessible, the exhibition includes more than 115 pieces that illustrate the richness of Islamic art through the medium of silk and gold.

Silks from the Islamic world were popular among the nobility and clergy of the time. In the 820s, the body of an early bishop in France was wrapped in a silk from the region of Bukhara in modern Uzbekistan. Other silks were used in clothing and altarcloths.

Mosques

Islamic art is a broad category that covers the arts created by Muslims and non-Muslims for their faith. These works are often non-figurative, unlike Christian religious art. For Muslims, depiction of the human form is forbidden, as it is idolatry and a sin against God. This type of art also incorporates architectural elements with important religious significance.

Islam originated with the prophet Muhammad. It is a monotheistic religion with a seminal religious text, the Qur'an, written from the prophet's recitations. The prophet was born in the Arabian city of Mecca, which is revered and considered sacred by Muslims. Historically, Islamic art can be divided into three periods: the Early Period, the Medieval Period, and the Later Period.

Ceramics

Islamic ceramics were a distinctive feature of the art of Islamic civilization. Islamic restrictions against figurative wall painting encouraged the use of geometrically-patterned decorative titles on ceramic objects. This was the most distinctive specialty of Islamic ceramics. Decorative titles were often inscribed with messages and images. The Freer Gallery's jubilee exhibition included 101 pieces of Islamic ceramics.

The exhibition traces the development of Islamic ceramics from the ninth century to the nineteenth century. More than 40 of the ceramic items on display were made in the late 12th and early 13th centuries in Iran, a period that saw Islamic pottery reach its peak. During this time, Iran was a leader in producing fine pottery and was recognized for its creativity.

Sculpture

The history of Islamic sculpture stretches back more than five hundred years. During that time, the artists of the Islamic world produced a wide variety of figural sculpture. Some of the most famous examples date from the eighth century, while others date from as recently as the thirteenth century. Islamic sculpture is the product of skilled craftsmen-engineers known as jinn. They obtained their knowledge by translating texts and studying Byzantine examples. Some of these pieces have religious justification, based on Qur'a-n verses.

Despite its long history, Islamic sculpture is still considered a minor art form. The Quran forbids idolatry and figurative representation. As a result, sculptures made by Muslim artists in the past centuries were often small and portable, but today, artists feel free to explore their artistic talent.

Architecture

Islamic Architecture is a discipline which embodies many aspects of the human experience. Its physical aspects are important but they are also subordinate to other, metaphysical, spiritual and ethical needs of man. Its underlying principle is to create architecture that meets the practical, emotional and spiritual needs of all people. Rather than making architecture an elitist pursuit, Islamic architecture aims to serve all people and make the world a better place.

Early Islamic architecture can be traced to the construction of the Kaaba sanctuary in Mecca, where the Islamic prophet Muhammad and his army conquered the city in 630C.E. An Abyssinian carpenter rebuilt the sanctuary, and it is one of the first major works of Islamic architecture. However, later doctrines of Islam forbade the use of animals or humans in architecture. The rules were based on the Hadith, which entails that no animal should be used in architecture.

Aniconism

The concept of aniconism in Islamic art is as old as the faith itself. It describes the use of non-figural forms of worship as mediators of divine presence. In a wide variety of religious traditions, it varies across different regions and people. It can also be found within single systems of belief.

The concept of aniconism in Islamic art has been interpreted differently in various segments of Islamic societies, depending on epochs and countries, religious orientation, political intent, popular belief, and dichotomy between reality and discourse. For instance, in Afghanistan, the Taliban movement banned photography and destroyed artifacts not associated with Islam. The Taliban also claimed that idolatrous statues and artifacts were a form of shirk. Aniconism is not exclusive to Islamic art, though: portraits of secular and religious leaders are ubiquitous in streets, offices, museums, and mosques.