Themes A&C Islamic art

Arabesque

a flowing, intricate, and symmetrical pattern deriving from floral motifs. these are ofte acanthus and split leaves

Atmospheric perspective

an art technique used to create the illusion of depth and distance by mimicking how the atmosphere affects the appearance of objects.

Caliph

the chief muslim civil and religious ruler, regarded as the successor of Muhammad.

Charbagh

a rectangular garden in the Persian tradition that is based on the four gardens of paradise mentioned in the Qur’an

Circumambulation

the act of walking around something, often as a ritual or formal procession

Hajj

an Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca tha is required of devout Muslims as one of the five pillars of Islam

Hypostyle

A hall that has a roof supported by a dense thicket of columns

Illuminated Manuscript

a manuscript that is hand-decorated with prainted lettters, words, and large images

Iwan

a rectangular vaulted space in a Muslim building that is walled on three sides and open on the fourth

Jali

a perforated ornamental stone screen in Islamic art

Kiswah

the cloth that covers the Kaaba in Mecca

Kiosk

a small open or partly open free-standing structure, the roof carried on posts or a light colonnade, used as a garden-pavilion, band stand, or summer-house.

Mamluk

a member of a regime that formerly ruled parts of the Middle East. they ruled Syria (1260-1516) and Egypt (1250-1517)

Mausoleum

a building, usually large, that contains tombs

Mecca, Medina

the most holy Islamic cities. Mecca is the birthplace of Muhammad and the city all Muslims turn to in prayer. Medina is where Muhammad was first accepted as the Prophet, and where his tomb is located.

Mihrab

a central niche in a mosque, which indicated the direction to Mecca

Minaret

a tall, slender column used to call people to prayer

Minbar

a pulpit from which sermons are given

Mosque

a Muslim house of worship

Muezzin

an Islamic offical who calls people to prayer traditionally from a minaret

Muhammad

a prophet whose revelations and teachings formed the foundation of Islam

Parchment

a writing material made from animal skins

Pyxis

a small cylinder-shaped container with a detachable lid used to contain cosmetics or jewelry

Qibla

the direction toward Mecca, which muslims face in prayer

Qur’an

the Islamic sacred text, dictated to the Prophet Muhammad by the angle Gabriel

Sahn

a courtyard in Islamic architecture

Scriptorium

a room or studio where illuminated manuscripts where created

Shahnama or The Book or Kings

a long epic poem written by the Persian poet Firdawsi

Tessellation

the repetition of geometric designs, used to demonstrate the Islamic belief that there is unity in multiplicity

Vellum

a materil made from calf skin used most commonly for the pages of illuminated manuscripts