Inv. no. LNS 101 KG
Blown, tooled, enamelled and gilded
Height 11.6 cm; diameter 8 cm
Egypt or Syria, 2nd half 13th century AD
2nd half 7th century AH
Glass
Objects of ivory and wood comprise decorative architectural items such as beams and doors, and smaller items such as boxes, jewellery and gaming pieces. Relatively few examples have survived due to the perishability of the materials.
That said, an ivory standing female figure circa 2450 – 2350 BCE from Syria or Mesopotamia is witness to the skills of pre-Islamic artisans. The figure originally included inlays for eyes, eyebrows and the pubic area in addition to holes that indicate the addition of a hair piece.
Ivory was used throughout Islamic times, much of it initially following the Byzantine tradition. Highly prized in Europe in the mediaeval period, many items produced in Islamic lands were donated to churches where they are still preserved in treasuries of cathedrals. Fine objects continued to be produced by Muslim and other craftsmen for Christian patrons in the aftermath of Arab rule in Italy and Spain. Ivory was often used for sword and dagger hilts and small items of adornment such as belt buckles, which are particularly well represented from the Ottoman Empire and India.
The inventiveness of artists continued in the Islamic period. It can be seen in the ‘bevelled’ style of the 9th century through the mediaeval period’s complex geometric patterns which were used for compositions in door panels and furniture, especially well known from pulpits (minbars) and Qur’an stands (kursis) of mosques. A completely different style of carving developed in the Islamic West where a style of florid vegetal decoration developed, often highlighted with polychrome painting.
