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A Gift for Beauty...
Here's the book that won't let the recipients forget who gave it.
It provides an eye-opening tour of just how much beauty can be put into daily objects, in this case the ceramics made in the medieval Islamic regions. While not a textbook, Perpetual Glory does, through discussion of one outstanding collection, give the artistic, technical and social background in which the objects were made.
The book itself is beautifully designed and has superb color photography - as one would expect from its being from the Art Institute of Chicago and Yale University Press. ... Read more

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Five essays explore aspects of aesthetics in classical Islamic thought in light of contemporary theories, offering new perspectives on Islamic with examples ranging from the Qur'an and the Alhambra to the works of present day artists and philosophers. Tracing the roots of Islamic aesthetics back to the works of the philosophers of the Middle Ages such as Avicenna and Averroes, Valerie Gonzalez finds that aesthetic theory in Islam must be seen within the much wider context of parallel thinking on theology, ethics, physics, and metaphysics. She balances her analysis of this philosophy (moral, logical, and scientific) of beauty with the equally important analysis of the perceptual experience of beauty. ... Read more

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Islamic Art and Architecture is a collection of primary sources in translation that serve as evidence for the visual and cultural history of Islam

• Brings together translations  from sources as diverse as the Qur’an, court chronicles, technical treatises on calligraphy and painting, imperial memoirs, and foreign travel accounts
• Includes clear and concise introductory essays 
• Situates each text and explains the circumstances in which it was written--the date, place, author, and political conditions
• Provides a vivid window into Islamic visual culture and society
• The perfect tool for teachers and students of art and visual culture

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Over 160 rich, sumptuous designs, reproduced from rare 19th-century edition. Copyright-free motifs drawn from carpets, tiles, carved wood, plates, jewelry, decorative painting of buildings and furnishings, metalwork, jewelry, more. Geometrics, florals and other designs in many sizes and shapes; rich selection of borders. Indispensable resource for design inspiration or direct practical use. 162 designs on 68 plates. Captions.
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Great Islamic designs
To correct the previous reviewer, these designs are by no means Russian! Neither are they Arabic, but, as the name of the book states, they are Islamic. The designs were collected in Central Asia area, mainly in Bukhara, the center of ancient culture, and are the great sample of the wonderful art of the region.

Great colors
If you are looking for arabian designs this is not the book, the designs are russian, but the drawings are very good. ... Read more

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Behind the clamorous headlines of militant and political Islam lies a more serene and cultivated form of traditional Islam. Jean-Louis Michon, a UNESCO advisor tasked with preserving the architectural and artistic heritage of Islam, unveils this lesser-known dimension of the world's second largest religion. ... Read more

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Packs in nearly 300 color photos
INTRODUCTION TO TRADITIONAL ISLAM: FOUNDATIONS, ART AND SPIRITUALITY packs in nearly 300 color photos as it explores the spirituality and social issues of militant and political Islam. From its basic premises and its vision of life to the message of Islamic art and culture, this is a top pick for any serious spirituality collection and provides an excellent introduction. ... Read more

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Synopsis
The Khalili Collection is the greatest collection of Islamic art in private hands; it is continuing to grow and improve. It contains a large and comprehensive range of Qur'anic material, covering the entire historyof Qur'an production from the seventh to the twentieth century, includingexamples from centres as far apart as Spain and India. This is the third offour volumes cataloguing the Qur'ans in the Khalili Collection. It includesfifteenth century Qur'ans in Iran, Egypt, Syria, Constantinople, and India;sixteenth century Qur'ans in Iran and India. The lavish presentation ofthis catalogue is combined with detailed scholarship that not onlyencompasses the history of the subject, but also presents in accompanyingessays new findings that have been made in the course of cataloguing. Thetext is supported by notes, up-to-date bibliography, and index, whileinscriptions are reproduced in their original languages, with Englishtranslations. Dr James is an internationally renowned authority on Arab andPersian manuscripts, and on Qur'ans in particular. This book is intendedfor art historians, Islamicists, collectors and curators of Islamic art. ... Read more

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Late Antique and Medieval Art of the Mediterranean World is a much-needed teaching anthology that rethinks and broadens the scope of the stale and limiting classifications used for Early Christian-Byzantine visual arts.

• A comprehensive anthology offering a new approach to the visual arts classified as Early Christian-Byzantine
  
• Comprised of essays from experts in the field that integrate the newer, historiographical research into 'the canon' of established scholarship
  
• Exposes the historical, geographical and cultural continuities and interactions in the visual arts of the late antique and medieval Mediterranean world
  
• Covers an extensive range of topics, including the effect that converging cultures in late antiquity had on art, the cultural identities that can be observed by looking at difference of tradition in visual art, and the variance of illuminations in holy books

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Enjoyable
This is wonderful book, and I truly enjoy it.I am so glad it is available. ... Read more

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With its concentration on geometrical forms, Islamic design offers a rich source of patterns. Many are taken Moorish Spain and the traditional sites of the Middle East and North Africa, but this book also includes patterns which have been used in mosques in Great Britain. ... Read more

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The art which arose from the 7th century in the Islamic empires reached from Spain and Morocco to the borders of China. It bore the stamp above all of Arabs, Persians and Turks, but outstanding contributions also came from Egypt and India. "Islamic Art" presents prominent examples: luxury ceramics, prayer mats, goldsmithery, as well as witnesses to the decorative arts and calligraphy and above all the masterpieces of the splendidly colourful courtly book illumination of Persia and the Mughal emperors of India. The book examines the contributions of the different countries and how they influenced each other, and in this way vividly illustrates the unfolding of the delicate splendour and fairytale beauty of Islamic art from its beginnings into the modern era. ... Read more

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A wonderful catalogue
This is an excellent catalogue from the associated exhibition.The items are of great interest, well photographed, and showcase the skilled artisans of Muslim Spain.The essays are insightful and have useful scholarship.This book is a good source of information on medieval Spain and artistic inspiration. ... Read more

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The discipline of 'principles of Islamic jurisprudence' (usul al-fiqh) constitutes the theoretical basis of Islamic law (Shari'ah) and the indisputable foundation on which it is based. One of the most important branches of usul al-fiqh is the study of the usage of language. Language and the Interpretation of Islamic Law is the first work to appear in the English language dealing with this important aspect of Islamic law. Dr Sukri Husayn Ramic gives us the background to the terminology used by the different schools of Islamic law and then discusses the different applications of language in legal reasoning and the interpretation of Islamic law. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review
The Koranic proscription against human and animal imagery turnedcenturies of Islamic artists and architects inward, to create unmatchedexamples of geometric and decorative art. This lavish, authoritative book,with gorgeous photographs by Roland and Sabrina Michaud, provides anintroduction and overview to, as the subtitle disarmingly puts it,"Eight Centuries of the Tile-Maker's Art." The often-anonymousIslamic artists whose work is featured here, however, were far more thantile-makers: they were astonishing draughtsmen, dazzling colorists,hypnotically inventive creators of endlessly spiraling design. The Michauds'photographs are complemented by text from the scholar Michael Barry. The bookis lent increased interest by the fact that some of the landmarks featuredare now off-limits to many Westerners, especially Americans. ... Read more

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Sumptuous and Substantial
No doubt about it, "Design and Color" is a rare and true feast for the eyes. Better yet, it's not just pretty pictures; it is also a surprisingly informative and well-written survey of the art of tile-making in (primarily Central) Asia. I can safely call it my favorite art book.

Sumptuous and Substantial
No doubt about it, "Design and Color" is a rare and true feast for the eyes.Better yet, it's not just pretty pictures; it is also a surprisingly informative and well-written survey of the art of tile-making in (primarily Central) Asia.I can safely call it my favorite art book. ... Read more

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A survey of nineteenth-century Islamic art which explores the contrast between traditionally-styled objects and those influenced by Europe.Each item is described, and the material is orgainized and discussed under four main headings: - Royal Patronage - Religion and Customs - Manufacturing and Technology - Historical Revivalism ... Read more

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Synopsis
A survey of nineteenth-century Islamic art which explores the contrast between traditionally-styled objects and those influenced by Europe. Each item is described, and the material is orgainized and discussed under fourmain headings: - Royal Patronage - Religion and Customs - Manufacturing andTechnology - Historical Revivalism This book is intended for arthistorians, Islamicists, collectors and curators of Islamic art. ... Read more

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'Sheila S. Blair is a seasoned author with an excellent track record in publishing both specialised and general books on Islamic art. Indeed she is an undisputed star in her field.' - Professor Robert Hillenbrand, University of Edinburgh

'I can think of no one more qualified to produce such a volumeÂ… She is a recognised and highly-regarded expert in the field..' - Professor W. M. Thackston, Harvard University

This stunning book is an important contribution to a key area of non-western art, being the first reference work on art of beautiful writing in Arabic script.

The extensive use of writing is a hallmark of Islamic civilization. Calligraphy, the art of beautiful writing, became one of the main methods of artistic expression from the seventh century to the present in almost all regions from the far Maghrib, or Islamic West, to India and beyond. Arabic script was adopted for other languages from Persian and Turkish to Kanembu and Malay.Sheila Blair's groundbreaking book explains this art form to modern readers and shows them how to identify, understand and appreciate its varied styles and modes. The book is designed to offer a standardized terminology for identifying and describing various styles of Islamic calligraphy, and to help Westerners appreciate why calligraphy has long been so important in Islamic civilization.

The argument is enhanced by the inclusion of more than 150 colour illustrations, as well as over 100 black-and-white details that highlight the salient features of the individual scripts and hands. Examples are chosen from dated or datable examples with secure provenance, for the problem of forgeries and copies (both medieval and modern) is rampant. The illustrations are accompanied by detailed analyses telling the reader what to look for in determining both style and quality of script.

This beautiful book is an ideal reference for anyone with an interest in Islamic art.

Winner of the British-Kuwait Friendship Society Prize 2007.

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contents of this book
Table of Contents

PART I: INTRODUCTION

Chapter 1: Arabic Script: Its Role and Principles
A. The importance of writing in Islamic culture
B. Principles of Arabic script
C. The Koranic Text

Chapter 2: Materials
A. Supports
B. Special papers
C. Pens and pen cases
D. Inks and inkwells

PART II: THE DEVELOPMENT OF ARABIC SCRIPT IN EARLY ISLAMIC TIMES

Chapter 3: The Standardization of Arabic Script
A. The origins of Arabic script
B. The development of Arabic script
C. The evolution of a calligraphic style

Chapter 4: Early Manuscripts of the Koran
A. Physical characteristics
B. Methodologies for dating
C. Considerations for further study

PART III: THE PREEMINENCE OF ROUND SCRIPTS IN THE EARLY MIDDLE PERIOD

Chapter 5: The Adoption of Round Styles
A. Round book script
B. The new style of broken cursive
C. Broken cursive and Ibn Muqla
D. The standardization of naskh and thuluth under Ibn al-Bawwab
E. What caused the canonization of round scripts in the ninth century?

Chapter 6: The Diversification of Round Scripts
A. The stylization of broken cursive
B. Other round scripts
C. Towards a codification of round scripts
D. Pairs of text scripts
E. Maghribi script

PART IV: THE EMERGENCE OF REGIONAL STYLES IN THE LATER MIDDLE PERIOD

Chapter 7: Calligrpahy in Iran and its Environs under the Mongols and Turkomans
A. The Six Pens under the Ilkhanids and Jalayirids
B. The Six Pens under the Timurids and Turkomans
C. The Hanging Scripts

Chapter 8: Rectilinear and Curvilinear Scripts in Egypt and Syria under the Mamluks
A. Rectilinear scripts
B. Curvilinear scripts
C. Hybrid scripts

Chapter 9: Other Styles and Centers
A. Anatolia
B. India
C. The Maghrib

PART V: DYNASTIC STYLES IN THE AGE OF EMPIRES

Chapter 10: The Safavids, the Qajars, and their Contemporaries in Iran and Central Asia
A. Refinement of the Six Pens
B. Refinement of the hanging scripts
C. Pictorial writing

Chapter 11: The Ottomans in Anatolia, the Balkans, and the Eastern Mediterranean
A. The Canonization of naskh as text script Training, sources, and materials
B. The Canonization of thuluth as display script
C. The Hanging scripts

Chapter 12: Other styles and centers
A. The Mughals and their contemporaries in India
B. The Indian Ocean
C. The Maghrib
D. Sub-Saharan Africa

PART VI: THE MANY FACES OF ISLAMIC CALLIGRAPHY IN MODERN TIMES

Chapter 13: From traditional styles to calligraphic art and design
A. Traditional styles
B. Printing, typography, and computer graphics
C. Calligraphic art

Bibliography

An essential key to understanding Islamic arts and civilization
Every college-level collection strong in either Middle Eastern Studies or Middle Eastern art must have ISLAMIC CALLIGRAPHY: it's a specialty item for the serious holding which offers the first reference work on Arabic script. Calligraphy is one of the foundation arts of Islamic culture and has been a primary method of artistic expression from the 7th century to modern times, so it well deserves its own book and is anything but the 'esoteric art' Westerners might believe. Over 150 color illustrations and over a hundred black and white details come from dated examples to provide insights on everything from construction and history to identifying forgeries and understanding differing styles. An essential key to understanding Islamic arts and civilization, this reference is not to be missed.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch ... Read more

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Islamic glassmakers were not only brilliant technicians and innovators in their own right, but they also preserved many of the methods of Late Antique Roman craftsmen, passing them on centuries later to Venetian and other European masters. This lovely book is the first comprehensive study of the accomplishments of these artisans. The volume presents glass objects from collections throughout the world—from perfume flasks to pitchers, mosque lanterns to boxes, inkwells to vases—ranging from the seventh to the nineteenth century and through many of the major artistic centers of the Muslim world.

Five introductory essays cover all facets of the subject, including historical background, archaeological excavations, issues of connoisseurship, technology, and science. The authors then discuss 150 masterworks of Islamic glass, grouped by technique or type of decoration (blown, mold-blown, hot-worked, mosaic, painted, cut, and engraved), each of which is illustrated in full color. Examples of European glass objects are also included as illuminating reference points.

The book is the catalogue of an exhibition that opens at the Corning Museum of Glass in May 2001 and at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in October 2001. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

it's a glassic
Sometimes I read books that are totally out of my area of competence and general knowledge.I often wind up learning a lot, but fear that the knowledge I thus gain will be forgotten soon because it doesn't connect with anything in my daily life---books about amber forests millions of years ago, the French horn, or Chinatown gang wars come to mind.Still, I think it's good to stretch yourself, try to stick your nose in new fields.This is such a book for me.It's basically a beautifully illustrated catalogue for an exhibition held in 2001-2002 at Corning, NY, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in Manhattan, and in Athens.157 color photos stud the pages accompanied by descriptions of each object in great detail.The authors have included a number of short chapters on glass production in the Islamic world, archeological excavations of glass, (it's hard to determine if buried glass comes from a local maker or was imported), on who used glass and where they got it from, and some very professional chapters on glass making, chemistry, and decoration techniques.You will pick up a lot of glass-lingo, and possibly learn plenty about the spread of techniques throughout the Muslim empires from the 8th century to the 15th ---mold-blown glass, free-blown, hot-worked, slices of mosaic glass, impressed, scratched, tooled, etc.The early Islamic glass makers preserved or expanded upon techniques developed in the Roman or Byzantine periods.Their work has been found as far away as Japan, northern China, and Scandinavia.Muslim glass craft reached new heights in some cases, but after the 1400s, production declined in the area that stretched from Istanbul and Egypt through the Middle East and Iran to India.The rulers began to rely on supplies from Europe, particularly Venice.On the other hand, glass makers in Europe produced many items which copied Muslim styles.In India, glassmakers still kept producing a large number of items for Muslim courts in the 18th and 19th centuries.The title of the book is possibly misleading.I thought it was going to be about Turkey or the glass found in Turkish museums, but no, the focus is on all parts of the Muslim world.Everyone can enjoy the beauty of the rare glass objects presented here.Even if the text is more for specialists a very good attempt is made to explain everything to the layman or, as in my case, the completely ignorant.This could be the glassical text on the subject.
... Read more