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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