Islamic Arts and Crafts: An Anthology

Marcus Milwright

Published by Edinburgh University Press 2017

Islamic Arts and Crafts

An Anthology

Marcus Milwright

https://doi.org/10.1515/9781474409179

Overview
Contents

About this book

A primary sourcebook for the study of traditional art and craft practices of the Islamic world

Islamic art is justly famed for its technological sophistication, varied approaches to ornament, and innovative employment of the written word. But what do we know about the skilled artisans who spent their lives designing and creating the paintings, objects and buildings that are so admired today?

This anthology of written sources (dating from the seventh to the twentieth centuries) explores numerous aspects of the crafts of the Middle East from the processing of raw materials to the manufacture of finished artefacts. You will learn about: the legal and ethical dimensions of the arts and crafts, the organisation of labour in urban and rural contexts, the everyday lives of artisans, the gendered dimensions of making things, and the impact of industrialisation upon traditional methods of manufacture. Each chapter begins with an introduction providing a wider context for the primary sources. There are also suggestions for further reading.

Key Features

Provides a clearly structured means to study descriptions of techniques employed in the arts and crafts and of the lives of artisans (male and female) in the Islamic world from the seventh to the twentieth centuries
The primary sources address the interests of students in a wide range of disciplines, including art history, archaeology, anthropology, and ethnography
New translations are presented of significant primary accounts written in Arabic, German, and French
Illustrated with maps, plans and images of Islamic arts and crafts

Topics

Frontmatter Publicly Available Download PDF	i
Contents Publicly Available Download PDF	iii
Figures Publicly Available Download PDF	v
Acknowledgements Publicly Available Download PDF	vi
Notes for the reader Publicly Available Download PDF	viii
Image and text acknowledgements Publicly Available Download PDF	x
Introduction Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	1
PART 1 Foundations
1. Theoretical formulations Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	19
PART 2 Human Dimensions
2 The organisation of labour Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	29
3 Rituals, songs and poems Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	40
4 Biographical information Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	49
5 The lives of artisans and artists Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	57
PART 3 Resources
6 Raw materials I: minerals Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	65
7 Raw materials II: plants Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	72
8 Raw materials III: animals Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	75
9 Mining and metal preparation Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	81
10 City descriptions Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	86
PART 4 Inorganic Media
11 Copper Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	95
12 Iron and steel Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	101
13 Other metals: gold, silver and tin Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	107
14 Pottery Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	113
15 Glass Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	122
PART 5 Organic Media
16 Wood Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	129
17 Basketry and matting Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	136
18 Leather Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	141
19 Spinning, bleaching and dyeing Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	146
20 Weaving Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	152
21 RUGS, CARPETS AND FELT Rugs, carpets and felt Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	157
PART 6 Writing and Painting
22 Papyrus and paper Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	165
23 Calligraphy Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	170
24. Painting Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	178
PART 7 Architecture and Engineering
25 Building techniques Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	189
26 Vaulting and architectural decoration Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	199
27. Engineering Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	205
PART 8 Economic Considerations
28 Recycling and repair Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	215
29. Crafts in an age of competition and change Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	222
Glossary Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	232
Names of craft activities in Arabic and Persian Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	237
Bibliography Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	239
Index Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	254

(Deutsch)

Language: English
Publisher: Edinburgh University Press
Audience: College/higher education;
Pages
- Main content: 272
Illustrations
- Other: 14 B/W illustrations 1 map
Keywords: Islamic Studies

eBook

Published: February 21, 2017
ISBN: 9781474409179