Treasures of Islam: Artistic Glories of the Muslim World
Discover the grandeur of Islam in a vivid portrait of some of the greatest and most creative civilizations ever to have existed—a wide range of peoples and cultures all united spiritually by their adherence to Islam and its holy book. This important survey—which features outstanding production values, an oversized volume, a foil-trimmed cover, and special five-color printing—celebrates the remarkable diversity of Muslim art, from beautiful textiles and peerless ceramics to awe-inspiring...
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Discover the grandeur of Islam in a vivid portrait of some of the greatest and most creative civilizations ever to have existed—a wide range of peoples and cultures all united spiritually by their adherence to Islam and its holy book. This important survey—which features outstanding production values, an oversized volume, a foil-trimmed cover, and special five-color printing—celebrates the remarkable diversity of Muslim art, from beautiful textiles and peerless ceramics to awe-inspiring architecture and exquisite metalwork. With superb photography throughout, this guide marries the religion’s artistic legacy with its rich history, travelling from the royal mosque at Isfahan to the beauty of Quranic illumination.Publishers WeeklyIn this sumptuous volume, O'Kane combines an overview of Islamic art and architecture with a cursory history of Islam's empires and dynasties. Beginning with a brief discussion of the earliest mosque from the seventh century, and showing how Islamic architects created a distinctive artistic tradition, O'Kane (The Iconography of Islamic Art) follows architectural and artistic ideas to the 19th century. Major monuments, such as the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem, the Great Mosque of Damascus, the Sultan Hasan mosque in Cairo, the Alhambra in Moorish Spain and the Taj Mahal, are highlighted, as are many works of art, including colorful mosaics, lace-like wood and stone carvings and exquisite manuscript paintings. O'Kane stresses the significance of religious and secular symbolism, and points out the craftsmanship that makes this art a feast for the eye. He does a credible job of surveying a vast panorama of art and culture, but it's difficult to compress so much complex material into one volume. The wealth of glorious full-color illustrations make this beautifully designed book an excellent introduction to the art of Islam. (Oct. 24)Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information
\ Publishers WeeklyIn this sumptuous volume, O'Kane combines an overview of Islamic art and architecture with a cursory history of Islam's empires and dynasties. Beginning with a brief discussion of the earliest mosque from the seventh century, and showing how Islamic architects created a distinctive artistic tradition, O'Kane (The Iconography of Islamic Art) follows architectural and artistic ideas to the 19th century. Major monuments, such as the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem, the Great Mosque of Damascus, the Sultan Hasan mosque in Cairo, the Alhambra in Moorish Spain and the Taj Mahal, are highlighted, as are many works of art, including colorful mosaics, lace-like wood and stone carvings and exquisite manuscript paintings. O'Kane stresses the significance of religious and secular symbolism, and points out the craftsmanship that makes this art a feast for the eye. He does a credible job of surveying a vast panorama of art and culture, but it's difficult to compress so much complex material into one volume. The wealth of glorious full-color illustrations make this beautifully designed book an excellent introduction to the art of Islam. (Oct. 24)\ Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information\ \ \ \ \ Library JournalThe Islamic religion and its cultural influences stretch far and wide across the Asian, Arab, and Mediterranean lands extending from western China and India in the east to Spain and Morocco in the west. O'Kane's (The Iconography of Islamic Art) remarkable book captures the beauty and elegance of Islam's most notable architectural sites and artifacts. These treasures are grouped into chapters relating to Islam's origins and empire as well as its various regional leaders and dynasties; the well-researched text is made up primarily of brief essays focusing on the actions of the aforementioned leaders and events within said regions. With a stunning layout and exquisite color photographs, the magnificence and diversity of these treasures is depicted; readers view examples in architecture (the Dome of the Rock and the Alhambra); the decorative arts (ceramics and gold and ivory items); carpets and textiles; metalwork found in vessels, armor, and elsewhere; and paintings and illuminated manuscripts (the Quran). This affordable book is indispensable for public and academic libraries and collections focusing on art, architecture, and world culture.\ —Stephen Allan Patrick\ \ \
