The Nasser D. Khalili Collection of Islamic Art

📖 The Scoop

"The metalwork holdings in the Khalili Collection are wide ranging and diverse, dating from the 7th century to the 20th century, and covering most of the Islamic world, from the Mediterranean to Brunei, and from important, signed or dated pieces. With over 900 entries, this four-part volume considers almost every type of vessel encountered in Islamic metalword. The pieces are grouped according to their form and function and categories include vessels used for ablutions, food, drink, lighting and furniture. The large number of objects has also allowed for a detailed discussion of variations and developments within objects has also allowed for a detailed discussion of variations and developments within object types such as oil lamps, mortars, jugs and ewers. The catalogue is accompanied by a number of introductory essays examining the principal periods into which the volume has been divided. Other essays consider the importance of silver within the study of Islamic metalwork in the pre-Mongol period; the range of animal forms found in metal in the medieval period; the significance of astrological imagery; and metalwork from the Mamluk revival periods. Finally, the technology of Islamic metalwork is examined in detail, with a discussion of medieval literary sources, and an examination of metals and their alloys, their sources and methods of manufacture.

Genre: No Category (fancy, right?)