Ceramics From Islamic Lands (The al-Sabah Collection)

Description

"This splendid catalog serves as the most current and magnificently illustrated introduction to Islamic ceramics now available. Essential."Choice Islamic potterythe fine ceramics made in the lands of Islam, from the Arab world and Turkey through Iran and into Central Asiais one of the hidden treasures of world ceramics. It has often been overshadowed by the ceramic legacy of China and Europe, yet it cedes nothing to these great traditions in technical inventiveness and beauty of design. Through close trading links and cultural interchange, Islamic potters have played a crucial role in the development of these other ceramic cultures. A catalogue of the al-Sabah collection in Kuwaitone of the few truly great collections in private handsthis richly illustrated volume presents a comprehensive history of ceramics from Islamic lands and portrays the unfolding story of Islamic pottery over its thousand-year history. Over four hundred pieces are described, providing both an examination of individual items and an overall history of the subject. Clear and informative introductory essays cover the study and collecting of Islamic pottery over the past hundred years, and trace its technical and chronological history, from the first fine wares made in the eighth century to the destructive impact of European industrialization in the nineteenth century. The individual objects, illustrated with some nine hundred color pictures, are grouped by type and geographically. A Choice Outstanding Academic Title. 921 color illustrations. Cover Contents Preface Islamic pottery: art, archaeology and collecting A brief history of collecting Lessons from the archaeologists Fashions in collecting Further fashions Disappearing industries Racial bias? Conclusion Making and designing Mixing clay and throwing Moulds Glazes Glazing Firing Slip decoration Ceramic families and technical traditions Polychrome glaze-painting (cat. C) Opaque white glaze wares (cat. D) Lustre painting Slip painting “Splashed” wares The frit body The “Sultanabad” and “panel” styles Blue and White Conclusion Islamic pottery to A.D. 1000 Islamic pottery A.D. 1000-1400 Pottery of the Fatimid period in Egypt Fritware in the Iranian world Fritware in Syria Incised earthenware of the 12th and 13th centuries The Mongol invasions and after Egypt in the 13th and 14th centuries Islamic pottery from A.D. 1400 Syria and Egypt Iran Turkey Fakes and forgeries: An introduction Restoration and faking of Islamic ceramics: case histories Catalogue Introduction A. Unglazed wares B. Early “green glazed” wares C. Early wares: polychromem glaze-painting D. Opaque white glazed wares E. Abbasid lustreware F. Splashed wares G. Slip-painted wares H. Buffwares I. Iranian incised wares J. Lustre pottery of the Fatimid period in Egypt K. Syrian and Egyptian wares: 12th-13th century L. Iranian fritware 12th-13th century M. Bamiyan fritwares N. Silhouette and underglaze painted wares: Iran, 12th-13th century O. Iranian lustreware: 1170-1220 P. Minai enamel painting: Iran late 12th-early 13th century Q. Wares of the Mongol period in Iran: 13th-14th century R. Syria and Egypt: 13th-14th century S. Egyptian wares: 15th century T. Ottoman pottery: Turkey 16th-18th century U. Later Iranian pottery: 15th-19th century V. Indian Mughal ceramics W. Chinese porcelain Appendix Bibliography Glossary Index