Editing Islamic art (section)

== Metalwork ==
[[File:Bassin Syrie 1.JPG|thumb|left|Detail of the "[[Baptistère de Saint Louis]]," c. 1300, a [[Mamluk]] basin of engraved brass with gold, silver and [[niello]] inlay]]

Medieval Islamic metalwork offers a complete contrast to its European equivalent, which is dominated by modelled figures and brightly coloured decoration in [[vitreous enamel|enamel]], some pieces entirely in precious metals. In contrast surviving Islamic metalwork consists of practical objects mostly in [[brass]], bronze, and steel, with simple, but often monumental shapes, and surfaces highly decorated with dense decoration in a variety of techniques, but colour mostly restricted to inlays of gold, silver, copper or black [[niello]]. The most abundant survivals from medieval periods are fine brass objects, handsome enough to preserve, but not valuable enough to be melted down. The abundant local sources of [[zinc]], compared to [[tin]], explains the rarity of [[bronze]]. Household items, such as [[Pitcher (container)|ewers]] or water pitchers, were made of one or more pieces of sheet brass, soldered together and subsequently worked and inlaid.<ref name=Baer1983>{{cite book |last=Baer |first=Eva |title=Metalwork in Medieval Islamic Art |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=s__yi4pD-VEC |year=1983 |publisher=SUNY Press |isbn=978-0-87395-602-4 |pages=whole book}}</ref>

The use of drinking and eating vessels in gold and silver, the ideal in ancient Rome and Persia as well as medieval Christian societies, is prohibited by the [[Hadith]]s, as was the wearing of gold rings.<ref>[http://www.searchtruth.com/book_display.php?book=24&translator=2 Hadithic texts against gold and silver vessels]</ref> Islamic metalworkers shared with their European counterparts a relatively high social status, compared to other artists and craftsmen, and many larger pieces are signed.

Islamic metalwork includes some three-dimensional animal figures, such as fountainheads or [[aquamanile]]s, but only one significant enamelled object of Byzantine [[cloisonné]] technique is known.<ref>Arts, 201, and earlier pages for animal shapes.</ref> The [[Pisa Griffin]] is the largest surviving bronze animal, probably from 11th century Al-Andalus. More common objects with elaborate decoration include massive low candlesticks and lamp-stands, lantern lights, bowls, dishes, basins, buckets (these probably for the bath),<ref>But see Arts, 170, where the standard view is disputed</ref> and [[ewer]]s, as well as caskets, pen-cases and plaques. Ewers and basins were brought for hand-washing before and after each meal, and so are often lavishly treated display pieces. A typical 13th century ewer from [[Greater Khorasan|Khorasan]] is decorated with foliage, animals and the [[Signs of the Zodiac]] in silver and copper, and carries a blessing.<ref>[http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-art/91.1.530 "Base of a ewer with Zodiac medallions &#91;Iran&#93; (91.1.530)"]. Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, July 2011; see also on [[astrology]], Carboni, Stefano. Following the Stars: Images of the Zodiac in Islamic Art. (New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1997), 16. The inscription reads: ''"Bi-l-yumn wa al-baraka…"'' meaning "With bliss and divine grace…"</ref> Specialized objects include knives, arms and armour (always of high interest to the elite) and scientific instruments such as [[astrolabe]]s, as well as [[jewellery]]. Decoration is typically densely packed and very often includes arabesques and calligraphy, sometimes naming an owner and giving a date.<ref>Arts, 157–160, and exhibits 161–204</ref>