A Handbook of Mohammedan Decorative Arts

A Handbook of Mohammedan Decorative Arts

Dimand, M. S.
1930
328 pages
175 illustrations
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The first history of Mohammedan decorative arts to appear in English, this publication from 1930 highlights The Metropolitan Museum of Art's strong Islamic art collection with over 170 works discussed. The diverse selection objects spans over twelve centuries and includes richly illuminated manuscripts, colorful glazed pottery, and intricate woven carpets, among others. Dimand contextualizes Mohammedan decorative arts within the history of Islam and its spread across the world, from the Middle East to Egypt and India.

Met Art in Publication

"Physician Preparing an Elixir", Folio from a Materia Medica of Dioscorides, 'Abdullah ibn al-Fadl, Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
'Abdullah ibn al-Fadl
dated 621 AH/1224 CE
"Pair of Eagles", Folio from a Manafi' al-hayawan (On the Usefulness of Animals) of Ibn Bakhtishu', Ibn Bakhtishu', Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
Ibn Bakhtishu'
ca. 1300
"Bizhan Slaughters the Wild Boars of Irman", Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings), Abu'l Qasim Firdausi  Iranian, Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
Abu'l Qasim Firdausi
ca. 1300–30
Folio from a Mu'nis al-ahrar fi daqa'iq al-ash'ar (The Free Man's Companion to the Subtleties of Poems) of Jajarmi, Muhammad ibn Badr al-Din Jajarmi  Iranian, Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
Muhammad ibn Badr al-Din Jajarmi
dated 741 AH/1340–41 CE
Kitab suwar al-kawakib al-thabita (Book of the Images of the Fixed Stars) of al-Sufi, `Abd al-Rahman al-Sufi  Iranian, Ink and gold on paper; leather binding
`Abd al-Rahman al-Sufi
late 15th century
"Rustam Captures Rakhsh", Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings), Abu'l Qasim Firdausi  Iranian, Main support: Ink, opaque watercolor, gold on paper<br/>Margins: Ink and gold on dyed paper
Abu'l Qasim Firdausi
mid-15th century
"Khusrau Seeing Shirin Bathing", Folio from a Khamsa (Quintet) of Nizami of Ganja, Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
1447–48
"Laila and Majnun in School", Folio 129 from a Khamsa (Quintet) of Nizami of Ganja, Nizami, Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
Nizami
931 AH/1524–25 CE
"Dancing Dervishes", Folio from a Divan of Hafiz, Hafiz  Iranian, Opaque watercolor and gold on paper
Hafiz
ca. 1480
"Bahram Gur in the Yellow Palace on Sunday", Folio 213 from a Khamsa (Quintet) of Nizami of Ganja, Nizami, Ink, opaque watercolor, silver, and gold on paper
Nizami
931 AH/1524–25 CE
"Alexander at a Banquet", Folio 321b from a Khamsa (Quintet) of Nizami of Ganja, Nizami, Ink, opaque watercolor, silver, and gold on paper
Nizami
dated 931 AH/1524–25 CE
A Princely Hunt, Ink, gold, and watercolor on paper
late 16th century
Page of Calligraphy from an Anthology of Poetry by Sa`di and Hafiz, Sa'di  Iranian, Ink, opaque watercolor, silver, and gold on paper
Sa'di
late 15th century
"Yusuf Arriving in Egypt and Leaving the Ship in the Nile", Folio of a Yusuf and Zulaykha of Jami, Maulana Nur al-Din `Abd al-Rahman Jami  Iranian, Opaque watercolor, silver, and gold on paper
Maulana Nur al-Din `Abd al-Rahman Jami
930 AH/1523–24 CE
The Old man and the Youth, Riza-yi 'Abbasi  Iranian, Ink, transparent and opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
Riza-yi 'Abbasi
second quarter 17th century
"The Great Abu Sa'ud Teaching Law", Folio from a Divan of Mahmud `Abd-al Baqi, Mahmud 'Abd-al Baqi  Ottoman, Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
Mahmud 'Abd-al Baqi
mid-16th century
"Assad Ibn Kariba Launches a Night Attack on the Camp of Malik Iraj", Folio from a Hamzanama (The Adventures of Hamza), Basavana, Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on cloth; mounted on paper
Basavana
ca. 1564–69
"Krishna and Balarma Fighting the Enemy", Folio from a Harivamsa (The Legend of Hari (Krishna)), Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
ca. 1590–95
"A Muslim Pilgrim Learns a Lesson in Piety from a Brahman", Folio from a Khamsa (Quintet) of Amir Khusrau Dihlavi, Amir Khusrau Dihlavi  Indian, Image: Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper<br/>Margins: Gold on dyed paper
Amir Khusrau Dihlavi
1597–98
Akbar Visited by Jahangir and Daniyal, Opaque watercolor on paper
19th century
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