Arts of the Hellenized East: Precious Metalwork and Gems of the Pre-Islamic Era

Paperback / softback

Main Details

Title Arts of the Hellenized East: Precious Metalwork and Gems of the Pre-Islamic Era
Authors and Contributors      By (author) Martha L. Carter
Physical Properties
Format:Paperback / softback
Pages:424
Dimensions(mm): Height 276,Width 219
Category/GenreAncient and classical art BCE to c 500 CE
Precious metal and precious stones: artworks and design
Decorative arts
ISBN/Barcode 9780500970706
ClassificationsDewey:709.35
Audience
General

Publishing Details

Publisher Thames & Hudson Ltd
Imprint Thames & Hudson Ltd
Publication Date 2 February 2017
Publication Country United Kingdom

Description

The al-Sabah Collection, Kuwait, houses one of the world's most spectacular collections of ancient silver vessels and other objects made of precious metals. Dating from the centuries following Alexander the Great's conquest of Iran and Bactria in the middle of the 4th century BCE up to the advent of the Islamic era, the beautiful bowls, drinking vessels, platters and other objects in this catalogue suggest that some of the best Hellenistic silverwork was not made in the Greek heartlands, but in this eastern outpost of the Seleucid empire. Martha L. Carter connects these far-flung regions from northern Greece to the Hindu Kush, tracing the common cultural threads that link their diverse geography and people. The last part of the book, by Prudence O. Harper, deals with an important group of Sasanian silver vessels and gems, and some other rarities produced in the succeeding centuries for Hunnish and Turkic patrons. The catalogue is accompanied by an essay on the technology of ancient silver production by Pieter Meyers, who has performed a number of scientific tests on the objects, including a new metallurgical analysis that may help to identify their geographical origins.

Author Biography

Martha L. Carter has taught and curated at institutions including the Cleveland Museum of Art and the University of Wisconsin.

Reviews

masterfully written, rare catalogue full of informative chapters on Hellenistic art and metal work technology