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15 Cards in this Set
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#181 Petra Jordan Nabatean Ptolemaic & Roman 400 B.C.E. - 100 C.E. _____________________ Content: A city existing on both the outskirts and within the rock canyons of the vast desert area. _______________________________ Style: The entirety of the site is composed of the surrounding rose sandstone. The city's most unique features include its elaborate system of water channels, as well as elaborate carved tombs deeper within the canyons. |
Context: Central and Western Asia was famous for its traditional trade routes between ancient cultures. Most of the active trade was channeled through Turkey and led to China. Petra became a bustling city of trade, as it was situated as an economic stop on the main trade routes, like the Silk Road. The city's main commerce centered around the trade of frankincense from Northern Africa. The people of Petra were the Nabatean and centered their society around the influences of the Mediterranean, mainly, ancient Egypt, Greeks, the Roman Empire, and the ancient Mycenaeans. Within the desert environment, the Nabatean people had to draw their water from cisterns. At its height, the city was known for its abundance of water made available through terra cotta pipes (from Roman Empire), tunneling, and mountain reservoirs (which allowed water to be irrigated). Even the city center and temple was, at one time, surrounded with water pools and a garden of palm trees. |
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#181 Treasury Petra, Jordan _____________________ Content: A rock carved, royal tomb that exists about a mile into a slot canyon from the entrance of Petra. _______________________________ Style: This tomb is two stories high and built from the rock wall it rests on. The structure is elevated on a portico, has decorative corinthian columns, a cornice to divide the two stories, and lavish ornamentation all around. The style is that of Nabatean Hellenistic Architecture, as it incorporates the influences of Hellenistic Greek and Roman art, while also differentiating itself as a new style. For examples, the pediment of the second story is split in an unorthodox fashion, with a rounded, slightly domed, piece in the center, supporting a carved stone urn on the top. |
Context: The tombs were built higher up on the cliff faces to protect the sites from outlaws hoping to loot the tombs for the valuables that the Nabateans usually buried with their dead (similar to ancient Egypt). The tombs were carved in this radical fashion by initially using carved handholds in the cliff face. Later in the construction, the Nabateans built the releasing niche of the tomb's second story, which served as a base for the rest of the layered carving and construction. The builders would also use wooden posts to hold up scaffolding, allowing the architects to extend the scale of the tomb and others like it. The stone remnants that fell from the carvings eventually built up a ramp to the tomb's small entranceway. Today, unfortunately, the tomb has been looted and all the potential artifacts buried in the tomb have disappeared. |
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#181 Great Temple Petra, Jordan _____________________ Content: A temple site on the outer side of the city. _______________________________ Style: The entire area around the temple is/was paved with large set stones. The entranceway to the center is marked by several (collapsed) arches, similar to those used by the Roman Empire to represent the entrances to cities of importance. The temple consists of two parts: one being a large, frontal area open to the public and the second being the smaller, more sacred and restricted area of the temple itself. The larger area, similar to the pavilions of Greece and Rome, is surrounded by a colonnaded walkway. |
Context: As the area next to the temple continues to be excavated, there is evidence that the area served as a central water park, with pipes and channels branching out to provide water to the temple, the road, and other parts of the city. The specific significance and purpose of the temple is relatively unknown, although it was most likely used for meetings of spiritual and political importance. |
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#182 Buddha Bamiyan, Afghanistan Gandharan 400 - 800 C.E. (destroyed in 2001) _____________________ Content: A rock cut sculpture of the standing Buddha, reaching 150 feet tall within its carved niche. _______________________________ Style: This piece was carved right out of the rock wall, similar to the construction of Petra. In addition to its rock wall construction, the work was also covered in stucco to polish the overall surface. The stucco was also once a deep maroon color and the statue's arms used to project out and were supported with wooden mosts and platforms. |
Context: Tragically, this piece was destroyed in 2001 by the Taliban, who (because of their Islamic faith) did not believe in the worship of any kind of idol. Other countries had been pressing for a restoration of this buddha before its destruction The Taliban, at that time, had become the ruling body of Afghanistan and were offended by other country's (mostly America and Europe) offers to reconstruct the Buddha. Since the Taliban thought the money offered by these countries should have been directed towards them and the people under their rule, destroying the statue was also a political statement. Ironically, Afghani people in the 1990's (including extremist groups like the Taliban) were given firearms and training by the United States as aid against Soviet Union Russia, which ultimately led to their rise of power against the former governments. Prior to its destruction, however, this work was the largest Buddha representation in the world. The area in which it was carved from a rock face was situated near the Silk Road, where trade and exchange brought the influence of Buddhism westwards. In the 2nd to 7th centuries though, the area changed from Buddhism to an Islamic influenced society, with most of the people switching religions. The niches around the statue acted, at one time, as shrines and residences to devout Buddhist monks. |
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#183 The Kaaba Mecca, Saudi Arabia Islamic / Pre-Islamic monument rededicated by Muhammad in 631 - 632 C.E. (multiple renovations) _____________________ Content: In its simplest form, the Kaaba is a square building covered in black silk tapestries. _______________________________ Style: The Kaaba is actually a site within a mosque. The tapestries around the building are changed throughout the year. Specifically made to be accessible from all points, the area around the Kaaba can be filled with people. There is also a sacred stone gilded in gold that is built into the side of the building. |
Context: All Muslims are required by one of the five pillars of the Islamic faith to attempt a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their lifetime. Mecca is believed to be the birthplace of Muhammad (although he spread Islam through Medina) and where he returned as a religious leader to regain control over the site of Kaaba from the various tribes in the area. The black stone in one of the walls is a sacred stone though to be given to Abraham from the angel Gabrielle. People who visit the Kaaba circle the structure in prayer for days before getting the chance to eventually touch or kiss the black stone. Because the site is so sacred, most of Mecca's economy as a city depends on the pilgrims to Kaaba. |
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#184 Jowo Rinpoche, enshrined in the Jokhang Temple Lhasa, Tibet Yarlung Dynasty believed to have been brought to Tibet in 641 C.E. _____________________ Content: A sacred statue of the seated Buddha kept in an elaborate shrine. _______________________________ Style: Most of the Buddha's original gilded gold form (also painted) is covered with ornamented dress. Both the statue and its shine are elaborately decorated with gold, precious stones, ceramics, and other semi-precious materials. |
Context: The shrine of the buddha statue was founded by the first unified Tibetan king, Songster Gampo, who commissioned the temple for his two wives. One of whom, Princess Whencheng, brought buddha figures and other treasures from China as part of her dowry, including the Jowo Rinpoche. The statue was originally made in India but was traded to China in exchange for Que Chen fabric. Both of the king’s wives are partially credited for bringing Buddhism to Tibet. Today, the statue is still housed in the Joking temple in Lhasa, the capital city of Tibet. The item is still considered one of the most sacred of the country, with the ability to heal, bestow positive energy, and help ease the transition of death. People only need look at the statue to received these blessings, although many pray to it, place offerings of gold, or burn the names of their loved ones in a lamp set before the statue. The statue also remains as a symbol of Tibetan culture and identity, having weathered the control of the Chinese government and mistreatment during the Cultural Revolution in 1966 - 1976 C.E. |
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#185 Dome of the Rock (interior and exterior) Jerusalem, Palestine Islamic, Umayyad 691 - 692 C.E. (with multiple renovations) _____________________ Content: A sacred building built on top the Haram al-Sharif, the highest point of old Jerusalem. _______________________________ Style: The entire structure is ornamented, with a golden dome and Turkish Faience tiles decorative mosaics or various patterns and designs. The dome sits directly over the rock for which the structure was designed to encompass. The rock is enclosed between two ambulatories and an octagonal exterior wall. The dome is supported by a circulating colonnade, which are clad in marble and decorated with mosaics. Most mosaics are made from tile, gold, and jewels that reflect off of the grilled windows surrounding the walls. In agreement with Islamic tradition, none of the mosaics contain representational figures and instead largely contain winged motifs, vessels, scrolls, crowns. The most unique feature, however, is the inscription that runs over 700 ft long. The inscription contains some of the earliest quotes from the Qur'an. Lastly, the building also contains a small room beneath the rock (underground) for which the purpose is unknown. |
Context: After the death of the prophet Muhammad, a war for the holy lands of Jerusalem waged between the various Arabian nations, with the Dome of the Rock being the first establishment of the Islamic empire in the area. The rock inside the building is thought to be the same one where Abraham prepared to sacrifice his son Isaac to fulfill the will of God. In the Islamic faith, the rock is also supposed to be the location of where the angel Gabrielle visited Muhammad on his journey to heaven. The influence of mosaics largely came from the traditions of the Byzantine churches like the San Vitale and the Hagia Sophia. The building's exterior wall enclosing the rock is also similar to the burial tombs built for great Roman leaders, proclaiming the importance of the site to Islamic religion in a similar as was done in the Roman empire. |
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#186 Great Mosque (Masjid-e Jameh) Isfahan, Iran Islamic, Persian Seljuk, Il-Khanid, Timurid and Safavid Dynasties additions 700 C.E. and renovations in the 14th, 18th, and 20th centuries C.E. _____________________ Content: Also known as "the Blue City", this is one of the largest mosques of the area. _______________________________ Style: The entrance to the mosque is marked by the two minarets and a mihrab niche, decorated with Iznik tiles that spell out artistic calligraphy, nothing the 5 pillars of Islam and quotes from the Qur'an. While the mihrab niches traditionally face Mecca and have religious significance, they never contain idols. |
Context: This mosque is one that has beeb rebuilt over the centuries as different leaders utilized it for centers of religions, politics, and social gatherings. The mosque is mostly designed around the large, expansive courtyard, with entrances and exits marked with the most extensive design. |
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#186 Courtyard In the Great Mosque of Isfahan _____________________ Content: As the central part of the mosque architecture, this large, stone paved courtyard also contains a central water element. _____________________ Style: The courtyard, with the water pool located in the center, is surrounded by a pointed arch colonnade. |
Context: Water traditionally plays a significant role in the Islamic faith. On Friday, the holy day, Muslims must wash their hands and feet before entering the mosque. The water is also representative of the oasis areas that allowed for the spread of Islam. In mosques it was common for courtyards to be a community meeting place and were often built to contain schools, markets, and hospitals. The pointed arches were part of the Gothic European and Roman influences brought about by the transfer of ideas south. |
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#186 Mihrab (prayer room) In the Great Mosque of Isfahan _____________________ Content: The place of prayer and sermon within the mosque. _______________________________ Style: The interior of this room has no tiling, but instead is made with a stone finish. The room contains a main alter with a raised staircase for the religious head of the mosque to deliver a service. There is another platform reserved for royalty. |
Context: Prayer rooms were necessary for the preserving the community of the church. People all met together to hear the service and pray. Because of the form of Islamic prayer, Mihrab rooms were often covered in carpets. |
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#187 Folio from a Qur'an Arab, North Africa, or Near East Abbasid eight to ninth century C.E. _____________________ Content: A calligraphic page from a Qur'an. _______________________________ Style: This page consists of Arabic writing made in brown ink, with a design in the middle. The design in calligraphic at its base, but also surrounded with geometric and gold illuminated designs. The page, like the others in the Qur'an, contains the sacred words of Muhammad. This page also includes an inscription about who donated this particular manuscript of the Qur'an to the mosque. The design on the page also contains floral ornamentation and geometric shapes. |
Context: In the Islamic faith and culture, Calligraphy became a huge art form and was considered sacred since it imitated the letters and messages of Muhammad. Also, since the letters are written in Arabic, they are read right to left. The "Qur'an" actually translates to "recitation" and Islamic prayer will often have the recitation of phrases from the Qur'an and Muhammad. |
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#188 Basin (Baptistere de St. Louis) Muhammad ibn al-Zain 1320 - 1340 C.E. _____________________ Content: A metal worked basin made of brass, silver, and gold, entirely covered in animals, figures, and decorative patterns. _______________________________ Style: The piece is definitely a work of highly advanced metalwork both with the detail and the mixing of materials. The bottom interior of the basin, for a start, is decorated with sea animals, like otters. The wide frieze around the interior shows men on horseback, coats of arms, kings toasting, and war scenes. The exterior shows four figures on horseback hunting, using weapons, along with other figures in procession towards the more royal figures. The bottom of the exterior also includes the fleur de lis insignia. The piece is full of movement and energy in its naturalistic elements. The work was even signed six times by the artist, which was easy to do with metal work and stamps. |
Context: This piece was actually used as a water basin for baptizing the young royals of the French monarchy. The piece most likely came from one of the Islamic countries under the French colonization. Although metalwork is a traditional Islamic art form, this particular piece breaks tons of the expectations and traditions seen in the Islamic faith, especially with the non-figural rule and inclusion of European motifs. The fleur de lis symbol is also thought to be one of a Sultan as well as one of France. |
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#189 Bahram Gur Fights the Karge, folio from the Greak Il-Khanid Shahnama Islamic, Persian Il'Khanid 1330 - 1340 C.E. _____________________ Content: This is a folio page from a book specifically made for kings and contains both script and a detailed illustration. _______________________________ Style: The illustration of this page hold a strong influence from east Asian styles, with flat forms, have outlines and exaggerated poses as well as facial expressions. |
Context: The location of Persian helped prompt the influence and trade with eastern Asia, allowing for the changes in traditional design. The "Book of Kings" concept was similar to the illuminated manuscripts of medieval Europe, with more illustrations to account for lower education levels and more money required to produce books. These particular book series for royalty were supposed to tell the stories of the people and their history for the king, hence the deviation from the traditional exclusion of human and animal representations. |
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#190 The Court of Gayumars, folio from Shah Tahmasp's Shahnama Sultan Muhammad 1522 - 1525 C.E. _____________________ Content: A depiction of generations of figures a top cliff and waterfalls. _______________________________ Style: Made with ink, watercolor, and gold on paper, the style of this piece is very ethereal. The myriad of colors and organic representations that expand beyond the boundaries of the illustration help define the piece as another step away from traditional, conformist style of religious manuscripts. |
Context: This page is from another manuscript meant for rulers. This one shows the story of important people through the rule of a particular family dynasty, along with angels and other symbols of ruling divinity. Again, there is a strong east asian influence in the style, along with a European influence for the idea of kingly books. |
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#191 The Ardabil Carpet Maqsud of Kashan 1539 - 1540 C.E. _____________________ Content: A prayer carpet from a mosque made from a variety of silk and wool and decorated with elaborate, organic patterns. _______________________________ Style: This carpet contains one of the most intricate and perfected designs. Its detail includes a center medallion from which everything else is geometrically organized around. It also has two main borders, very typical for this style rug. Calligraphic writing can also be found, along with a sticked inscription (although it is unsure wether it is of the artist or if it's a dedication). |
Context: Because the Islamic prayer insists that individuals who are able pray on their knees, carpets became vital in the prayer rooms of mosques. Carpets like this one would be coupled up with another to cover entire rooms completely, providing a barrier between the churchgoers and the desert ground. The importance of carpets in this society was usually gauged on the amounts of knots that could be created within a square centimeter of the weaving. The more knots, the more intricate the design, the more significant the carpet was. Natural and curving lines and forms were also greatly appreciated. It was rare, however, to get such curvilinear aspects when weaving on a geometric grid. Carpets of this area were eventually known around the world as Persian carpets and were greatly revealed for their craftsmanship. This one in particular is one of the oldest surviving carpets of its kind and beauty. |
