Glossary
Arcade
A series of arches supported by columns, piers, or pillars, either freestanding or attached to a wall.
Example:
The central courtyard of the Great Mosque of Isfahan is surrounded by a two-story arcade, providing shaded walkways for worshippers.
Bahram Gur Fights the Karg
An illuminated manuscript page from the Persian epic Shanama, depicting the Sasanian king Bahram Gur's legendary battle with a monstrous unicorn-like creature.
Example:
The painting Bahram Gur Fights the Karg blends Persian narrative tradition with influences from Chinese landscape art and European figural styles.
Basin (Baptistère de Saint Louis)
A Mamluk brass basin inlaid with gold and silver, originally used for ceremonial hand washing and later for royal baptisms.
Example:
The Basin (Baptistère de Saint Louis) is a remarkable example of Islamic metalwork, showcasing intricate battle scenes and figural representations.
Buddhism
A religion and philosophy originating in South Asia in the 6th century BCE, based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha), focusing on spiritual development and enlightenment.
Example:
While the notes focus on West Asia, understanding Buddhism's influence in South Asia helps contextualize the broader religious landscape of the region.
Buddhist Architecture
Architectural forms associated with Buddhism, including stupas (mound-like structures containing relics), monastic complexes, and rock-cut cave temples.
Example:
While not detailed in these notes, understanding Buddhist Architecture helps differentiate it from Islamic forms, such as the elaborate cave temples of Ajanta.
Calligraphy
The art of beautiful handwriting, highly revered in Islamic art due to the importance of the Qur'an and the avoidance of figural representation in religious contexts.
Example:
The intricate calligraphy on the Dome of the Rock serves not only as decoration but also as a powerful conveyance of religious text.
Circumambulate
To walk around something, especially as part of a ritual.
Example:
Pilgrims circumambulate the Kaaba seven times counter-clockwise, a ritual act of devotion and purification.
Corinthian columns
The most ornate of the classical Greek architectural orders, characterized by slender fluted columns and elaborate capitals decorated with acanthus leaves and scrolls.
Example:
The Treasury at Petra features prominent Corinthian columns, demonstrating the influence of Greco-Roman architectural styles on Nabataean design.
Cultural Exchange
The reciprocal sharing and adoption of ideas, customs, and artistic styles between different cultures, often facilitated by trade routes like the Silk Road.
Example:
The presence of Chinese landscape elements and European halos in 'Bahram Gur Fights the Karg' clearly illustrates the extensive cultural exchange that occurred along the Silk Road.
Dome of the Rock
An Islamic shrine located on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, known for its distinctive golden dome and octagonal plan, commemorating significant religious events.
Example:
The Dome of the Rock stands as a testament to early Islamic architectural prowess and its symbolic importance to Abrahamic faiths.
Folio from a Qur'an
A single leaf or page from a manuscript of the Qur'an, often featuring exquisite calligraphy and illumination.
Example:
A Folio from a Qur'an written in Kufic script demonstrates the reverence for the divine word through its meticulous artistry.
Geometric patterns
Decorative designs composed of repeating lines, shapes, and mathematical forms, a prominent feature in Islamic art due to the aniconic tradition in religious contexts.
Example:
The intricate tilework of many mosques is filled with complex geometric patterns, reflecting a deep understanding of mathematics and aesthetics.
Great Mosque (Masjid-e Jameh), Isfahan
A large congregational mosque in Isfahan, Iran, notable for its continuous architectural development over centuries, reflecting various Islamic dynasties' styles.
Example:
The Great Mosque (Masjid-e Jameh), Isfahan, with its multiple iwans and hypostyle halls, illustrates the evolution of mosque architecture over a millennium.
Hajj
The annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, which is a mandatory religious duty for all able-bodied Muslims who can afford it.
Example:
The Hajj culminates in the ritual circumambulation of the Kaaba, symbolizing the unity of the Muslim community.
Hypostyle hall
A large room with a roof supported by a forest of columns, a common feature in ancient Egyptian and Islamic architecture.
Example:
The vast hypostyle hall of the Great Mosque of Isfahan could accommodate hundreds of worshippers for congregational prayers.
Illuminated manuscripts
Hand-written books decorated with illustrations, borders, and initial letters, often using gold or silver, common in medieval Europe and Islamic cultures.
Example:
Both 'Bahram Gur Fights the Karg' and 'The Court of Gayumars' are exquisite examples of Persian illuminated manuscripts, showcasing vibrant storytelling through art.
Inlay
A decorative technique where pieces of material (such as metal, wood, or ivory) are set into the surface of an object to form a design.
Example:
The gold and silver inlay on the Basin (Baptistère de Saint Louis) demonstrates the exceptional skill required for this intricate metalworking technique.
Islam
A monotheistic religion that emerged in West Asia in the 7th century CE, emphasizing submission to God (Allah) and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad.
Example:
Many of the artworks from West Asia, such as the Dome of the Rock, are deeply rooted in the principles and practices of Islam.
Iwans
Large, vaulted halls with an open end, typically facing a courtyard, a distinctive feature of Persian and Islamic architecture.
Example:
The four monumental iwans of the Great Mosque of Isfahan serve as grand entrances and focal points within the complex.
Kaaba
A cube-shaped building in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, considered the most sacred site in Islam and the focal point for Muslim prayers worldwide.
Example:
During the Hajj, millions of pilgrims circumambulate the Kaaba, a powerful symbol of Islamic unity and devotion.
Kiswah
The black cloth that covers the Kaaba, adorned with gold and silver calligraphy of Qur'anic verses.
Example:
The annual changing of the kiswah is a significant event, highlighting the reverence for the Kaaba and its sacred covering.
Kufic
An early angular form of the Arabic alphabet, characterized by its bold, monumental, and often geometric appearance, commonly used for early Qur'an manuscripts.
Example:
The distinctive blocky letters of Kufic script make the Folio from a Qur'an immediately recognizable as an early Islamic manuscript.
Mamluks
A powerful military caste and later a dynasty that ruled Egypt and Syria from the 13th to the early 16th centuries, known for their artistic patronage.
Example:
The Basin (Baptistère de Saint Louis) was created by Mamluks artists, reflecting the sophisticated craftsmanship of their empire.
Minarets
Tall, slender towers typically found adjacent to mosques, from which the muezzin calls Muslims to prayer.
Example:
The elegant minarets of the Great Mosque of Isfahan pierce the skyline, serving as both architectural embellishments and functional elements.
Miʿraj
The miraculous night journey and ascension of the Prophet Muhammad to heaven, a significant event in Islamic tradition.
Example:
The Dome of the Rock is believed to commemorate the Miʿraj, making it a site of profound spiritual significance for Muslims.
Mosques
Islamic places of worship, characterized by features like minarets, mihrabs, and often large hypostyle halls or courtyards.
Example:
The Great Mosque of Isfahan is a prime example of how mosques evolved over centuries, incorporating diverse architectural styles.
Motifs
A recurring dominant idea, design, or feature in an artistic work.
Example:
The Ardabil Carpet is rich with intricate floral and geometric motifs, creating a complex and harmonious design.
Muezzin
The person appointed at a mosque to lead and recite the call to prayer (adhan) five times a day.
Example:
From the top of the minaret, the muezzin's call echoes through the city, signaling prayer times.
Non-figural representation
The artistic practice of avoiding the depiction of human or animal forms, particularly in religious contexts, common in Islamic art.
Example:
Due to the emphasis on non-figural representation in religious settings, Islamic art often excels in abstract designs, calligraphy, and vegetal motifs.
Parchment
A material made from animal skin, typically sheep, goat, or calf, prepared for writing or printing.
Example:
The expensive materials used for the Folio from a Qur'an, such as ink and gold on parchment, suggest its ceremonial rather than daily use.
Patronage
The support, encouragement, privilege, or financial aid that an organization or individual bestows to another, often for artistic or architectural endeavors.
Example:
The intricate details of the Ardabil Carpet suggest significant royal patronage, indicating it was commissioned by a wealthy and powerful ruler.
Pediments
The triangular upper part of the front of a classical building, typically surmounting a portico or forming a gable.
Example:
The distinctive triangular pediments on the facade of the Treasury at Petra are a clear nod to classical Greek temple architecture.
Petra
An ancient city in modern-day Jordan, famous for its rock-cut architecture, particularly its elaborate facades carved directly into sandstone cliffs.
Example:
The Treasury at Petra, with its Hellenistic facade, showcases the Nabataeans' mastery of carving directly into the living rock.
Pilgrimage
A journey, often long, undertaken for religious or spiritual purposes to a sacred place.
Example:
The annual Hajj to Mecca is a central pilgrimage for Muslims worldwide, demonstrating a shared spiritual practice.
Qibla
The direction of the Kaaba in Mecca, which Muslims face during their daily prayers.
Example:
Inside any mosque, the qibla wall is easily identifiable as it indicates the precise direction towards the holy city of Mecca.
Scribes
Individuals who professionally copy texts, especially before the invention of printing, often possessing significant artistic skill.
Example:
The precise and beautiful handwriting on the Folio from a Qur'an indicates it was created by highly skilled scribes.
Shanama (Book of Kings)
A long epic poem written by the Persian poet Ferdowsi, recounting the mythical and historical past of Iran from the creation of the world to the Arab conquest of Persia in the 7th century.
Example:
Many Persian miniature paintings, including 'Bahram Gur Fights the Karg' and 'The Court of Gayumars', illustrate stories from the revered Shanama (Book of Kings).
Squinches
An architectural device used to transition from a square or polygonal space to a round or octagonal dome, typically by means of arches or corbels across the corners.
Example:
The corner designs of the Ardabil Carpet cleverly resemble squinches, creating the illusion of looking up into a domed ceiling.
The Ardabil Carpet
A renowned Persian carpet, one of the oldest and most famous Islamic carpets in the world, known for its intricate design, central medallion, and mosque lamps.
Example:
The Ardabil Carpet is a masterpiece of Safavid art, showcasing the peak of Persian textile design and craftsmanship.
The Court of Gayumars
A famous folio from the Shanama, depicting the mythical first king of Persia, Gayumars, enthroned amidst his court and animals, symbolizing harmony between humans and nature.
Example:
The Court of Gayumars is celebrated for its vibrant colors, intricate details, and the swirling, ethereal landscape that frames the figures.
Umma
The global Muslim community, transcending national, ethnic, or political boundaries.
Example:
The Great Mosque of Isfahan served as a central gathering place, fostering a sense of unity among the local umma.