The Many Splendors of Islamic Art: Part I
Islamic Art spans many centuries and many countries. It begins of course around the time of the beginning of Islam in the 7th century, when Prophet Muhammad first preached the words of God on the Arabian peninsula, and covers a large area spanning from Southern Spain to as far east as India. Historians agree that the study of Islamic Art is not comparable to the study of 'Christian' Art or other religious art in that it is not confined to just religious artifacts but works that fall under one of two categories- it is either produced by a follower of Islam or simply in a region where Islam is at one time dominant. It would also be difficult to compare Islamic Art to the subjects of study which are based more on a specific style, since the makers of Islamic Art were probably never consciously thinking of their works as part of a style such as 'Islamic Art'. Islamic Art then is much more loosely defined and complex than most subjects and even as a subject, according to Robert Irwin in Islamic Art in Context, "The Study of Islamic art in the West is still in its infancy" * especially in contrast to the European Arts. This makes it difficult to draw generalizations and conclusions about a work not yet sufficiently documented. Add to this the many different types of work that Islamic Art encompasses and one would get a lifetime's worth of study. This article fortunately is restricted to a few types and a few moments of study.
The Major "Minor" Arts
Although in Western Art more focus and time is given to categories such as painting and sculpture this is not the case in Islamic Art. Pieces like pots and metal medallions, normally considered part of the minor arts, are given just as much weight as colored manuscripts and miniatures.
Pots and other ceramics were used most often for storage, especially of food. As things often do in history, ceramics evolved from a simple utilitarian use to a functional decorative art in the ancient Near East and continued to develop during Islamic times. The abundance of clay in the region meant an abundance of ceramic objects such as condiment dishes, regular dishes, flat decorated bowls, and of course finely decorated pots and vases. After being formed and baked in a kiln these earthenware vessels were typically glazed for waterproofing as well as color. The more expensive pieces would sometimes have stains and paints of various colors, incised decorations, and inscriptions which noted the artist or the workshop it came from.
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