Product Description

This book follows the historical development of the Islamic dynasties and regions, showing the variety of their forms of artistic expression from the beginning until today. From decorative elements of buildings to calligraphy and the embellishment of everyday objects, ornamentation, that most characterise Islamic art form, displayed in an extraordinary rich range of ways. The contributions of important scholars bring to life before our very eyes this culture, which belongs next to Greek and Roman antiquity as one of the pillars of our modern society.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #69988 in Books
• Published on: 2007-07-30
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 624 pages

About the Author
For this book, editors Markus Hattstein and Peter Delius have gathered contributions from renowned scholars in the disciplines of art history, history, archaeology, and architecture who convey their expertise vividly and clearly.

Customer Reviews

Magical trip
This beautiful book goes through in a very comprehensive way all the history of Islamic art, divided into the dynasties that produce it. An excellent companion to someone who wants to travel to these places, or a reference book for whoever wants to explore the Islamic art and architecture.
A 8 pages of references of the Islamic dynasties makes it easy to follow their historical succession, a 8 pages glossary brings you closer to the terms and trivia, and over 1000 pictures make you to want to go to the places this magnificent art have sprang. Konneman is always a provider of reliable and intriguing reference books, 20 expertises contribute to this book.
Excellent value money book.

Spolied by impossibly small typeface
Everything the previous reviewer said is true - this is a marvellously informative book. It breaks the Islamic world up into culturally and geographically distinct regions and looks at the art and, especially, the architecture in some detail. There are also chapters on calligraphy. There are many beautiful photographs, and a number of plans, maps and tables. I know very little about the subject so can't vouch for the quality of the text but it seems very good - the illustrations are superb.

The only problem is the typeface. My eyesight isn't perfect but it's not bad. This type is so small, presumably in order to fit all the text into manageable number of pages, that reading it for any length of time is an unpleasant experience. I can't think of any book I've seen with such small type in the main text - it almost looks like one enormous footnote. If your eyesight is up to it, or you don't plan to read the text much, but simply want to enjoy the pictures, then this is a beautiful book. Otherwise it might be worth looking elsewhere.