The World of the Fatimids

Hardback

Main Details

Title The World of the Fatimids
Authors and Contributors      Edited by Assadullah Souren Melikian-Chirvani
Physical Properties
Format:Hardback
Pages:376
Dimensions(mm): Height 260,Width 240
Category/GenreThe arts - general issues
Byzantine and medieval art c 500 CE to c 1400
History
African history
ISBN/Barcode 9783777430379
ClassificationsDewey:709.1767
Audience
General
Illustrations Illustrated in colour throughout

Publishing Details

Publisher Hirmer Verlag
Imprint Hirmer Verlag
Publication Date 5 July 2018
Publication Country Germany

Description

This survey in 14 essays of Fatimid art between the 10th and 12th centuries showcases the pottery, rock crystal, metalwork, textile, architectural, wood, and calligraphic creations of one of t he most artistically inventive periods in Islamic culture, with special attention paid to the art of Christian and Jewish communities under the Fatimids. Between the 10th and 12th centuries CE, the Fatimid caliphate ruled parts of presentday Algeria, Tunis ia, Egypt, Sicily and Syria. Tracing their descent from the Prophet Muhammad ' s daughter, Fatima, the Fatimids reinvigorated Islamic art, producing splendid pottery, metalwork, rock crystal, wood, textile and calligraphic creations. This art showcased ingen ious techniques, superb decorative methods and lively motifs displaying an inventive dynamism in the use of human, animal, vegetal, and abstract forms. Architecture, too, became a hallmark of Fatimid grandeur, resulting in such magnificent structures as al - Azhar University in Cairo, the Fatimids ' capital.

Author Biography

Assadullah Souren Melikian-Chirvani is research director in the Department of Humanities and Social Science at the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique.