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Thread: Andalusians on an Ivory Casket made in Cuenca, 1026AD

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  2. #2

    Default Re: Andalusians on an Ivory Casket made in Cuenca, 1026AD

    Islamic Era caskets are very significant remaining artifacts showing the artistic styles of and fashion of the early Islamic era.
    This is especially significant because they are some of the few from the time period showing the human form in Islamic art.
    These styles of art are primarily derived from more ancient forms in the East, such as Syria (Phoenicians) and Iraq along with Iran.
    For example look at the Mshatta facade which can be seen as the precursor to the styles on these caskets.
    From these styles you get the iconography found in later European art such as the "Lady and the Unicorn" from France in the 1500s.


    We also know that there was much influence in terms of fashion and dress, since the Muslims were some of the main traders with the east via the silk road.
    And there was already a flourishing textile trade in the Levant, Egypt, Southern Arabia and Euphrates River valley with the east (India, South Asia, China).


    And as documented by Prof. Nicolle, much of the influence in terms of what we call "Medieval" culture in Europe actually traces back to central Asia, Persia and elsewhere.

  3. #3

    Default Re: Andalusians on an Ivory Casket made in Cuenca, 1026AD

    Islamic Spain and Sicily seem to have produced a lot of Ivory caskets with (carved or painted) figures, often hunting scenes.

    druzhina345
    12th Century Illustrations of Costume & Soldiers
    Last edited by druzhina345; January 28, 2018 at 11:38 PM.

  4. #4
    Roma_Victrix's Avatar Call me Ishmael
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    Default Re: Andalusians on an Ivory Casket made in Cuenca, 1026AD

    I could be mistaken, but is the horse also wearing padded armor?

  5. #5

    Default Re: Andalusians on an Ivory Casket made in Cuenca, 1026AD

    Quote Originally Posted by Roma_Victrix View Post
    I could be mistaken, but is the horse also wearing padded armor?
    Probably not. There aren't the vertical lines that aren't part of something else, the horizontal lines look like the grain of the ivory as they cross the horse's mane and appear in the background and on the beast.

    druzhina345
    Illustrations of Costume & Soldiers
    Last edited by druzhina345; January 28, 2018 at 11:40 PM.

  6. #6

    Default Re: Andalusians on an Ivory Casket made in Cuenca, 1026AD

    Quote Originally Posted by druzhina345 View Post
    Islamic Spain and Sicily seem to have produced a lot of Ivory caskets with (carved or painted) figures, often hunting scenes.

    druzhina345
    12th Century Illustrations of Costume & Soldiers
    Seems kind of ironic. It is weird that they call them caskets because they weren't for dead bodies. These were the jewel boxes and treasure containers taken on hunting trips, military expeditions and travel for holding loot..... But then again it kind of makes sense given the strong Persian (Sassanian and Parthian) influence on early Islam as both were well known for surviving artworks showing such themes.
    Last edited by ArmoredCore; June 24, 2014 at 07:34 AM.

  7. #7

    Default Re: Andalusians on an Ivory Casket made in Cuenca, 1026AD

    Casket may be used by some as a euphemism, dead bodies go in coffins. Casket is the diminutive of cask.

    druzhina345
    11th Century Illustrations of Costume & Soldiers
    Last edited by druzhina345; January 28, 2018 at 11:42 PM.

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