Monday 17 September 2018

ARTS AND CRAFTS OF ISLAMIC WORLD


Have you been looking to buy arts and craftsof the Islamic world? Have you been searching online for the best Islamic art and craft specimensfrom around the world in order to decorate your home or office, or in order to give a gift to a loved one? If you’ve been overwhelmed by the astounding range and variety of results – from calligraphic wall art to carpets to glass works to brassware to ceramic pottery – well, we are not surprised.

If one were to list down all the types and categories of items, handicrafts and artorks that are qualified as ‘Islamic arts and crafts’, we would be writing a tome.

So, here we present to you just a small list of Islamic arts and crafts:


1} Calligraphy: Arabic calligraphy is the most prominent aspect of Islamic art. Even though Arabic was the lingua franca of the Arabian Peninsula since time immemorial, Arabic calligraphy really got a lease of life after the complete, perfect religion of Islam was revealed in the 7th century AD. As there was a need to compile the Divine Revelations in the form of a book, and as Islam forbade human and animal imagery, Arabic calligraphy began being developed into a highly sophisticated form of art. Calligraphers began writing the verses of the Holy Quran in different styles – serving a religious mission as well as contributing to the visual arts scene in the Muslim world. The walls and domes of Islamic monuments are adorned with Arabic calligraphy.

2} Miniature paintings: A miniature painting is a small painting on a paper which is used in the court. These paintings are compiled in an album called the ‘muraqqa’. Developed in 13th century Iran, miniature paintings came to be used in Turkey under the Ottomonempire, and in India under the Mughal empire. Since these miniatures were not meant for public viewing and had a largely non-religious use, restrictions on human and animal imagery were often lifted.

3] Rugs and carpets: Carpet-weaving comes next to calligraphy in terms of prominence in Muslim nations. When decorated with calligraphy, carpets become wall art. When adorned only with floral motifs and elaborate borders, they are used to cover floors. They are also used for making prayer mats.Carpet-weaving is big business in Turkey, Iran and India.

4} Ceramic pottery: Colourful ceramic plates and pots are handy items that can be placed on the shelf. In case of plates, they can be fixed to the walls too. The earliest pottery dates to Basra in the 8th century but Chinese influence played a major role after the 13thcentury Mongol invasions. Most of the pottery made in Muslim countries has a lot of blue and green. Some ceramic plates are decorated with calligraphy, others come only with patterns and motifs.

5) Brassware: Brass plates and pots, especially those made in South Asia, are beautiful handicrafts that one can put on their tables or decorate their walls with. They mostly come with vivid floral motifs.

Indeed, volumes can be written on Islamic arts and crafts. So, it won’t come as a surprise that you would feel (positively) confused if you are looking to buy arts and crafts of the Islamicworld or are searching online for the bestIslamic art and craft specimens.

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