gems, art, Islamic art

The history of Islam stretches from the seventh century to the present and spans a vast geographical area from Spain to Indonesia and North Africa to the Steppes. As a result, the material culture of Muslim peoples is richly diverse, encompassing monumental architectural projects, intricate miniature paintings, exquisitely patterned silk textiles, and bold yet refined calligraphy. Islamic Art and Culture: Timeline and History presents this cultural panorama in a striking format that allows readers to view the breadth of Islamic art across time and space simultaneously. The chart enables you to see what was happening in different regions and artistic disciplines of the Islamic world within the same period, placing developments in comparative context. A continuous timeline tracks the political and cultural history of Islamic nations, aligning specific artworks and monuments with key historical events, using both the Western (Common Era) and Islamic calendars. Lavishly illustrated with color photographs, the chart showcases the splendor of Islamic architecture and objects, many drawn from the renowned Khalili Collection—one of the world’s most significant private holdings of Islamic art. Supplementing the timeline are sections on the historical dynasties of the Islamic world, a list of rulers, and a four-page gatefold map that visually encapsulates the global scope of Islamic history and culture.