Art: Base For A Water Pipe Flashcards
The Mughals were notable for what?
Their conspicuous consumption
What were some rich luxury objects used by the Mughal courts?
metalwork, paintings and carpets
How did the Mughals feel about the production of metal work?
They supported and expanded the production
How did metal objects differ from manuscripts and fine textiles?
They were used by all social classes
What was the difference between the metalwork for the general public and the imperial pieces?
Members of the general public utilized relatively plain and made from lesser materials, while the imperial pieces were ornately decorated and made from expensive materials such as gold and silver
How did the the art historian describe the wide variety of pieces?
“The quantity of well-preserved vessels and utensils in a myriad of differing shapes is impressive”
What different objects did the art historian include in his description?
bowls, casks, boxes, inkwells, pen boxes, buckets, ewers, flasks, bottles, jugs, rosewater sprinklers, strong boxes, trays, mirrors, keys, locks, lamps, lampshades, candleholders, incense burners, mortars, tray stands, bottle supports, pumice-stone holders, astrolabes, celestial globes and aquamaniles
What was unusual about some of the incense burners?
they were animal shaped
What items did the list not include?
arms (weapons, not limbs) and armor, jewelry, and architectural decoration.
How does Islamic metalwork compare to the carpet examples in our resource guide?
More metalwork remains in the present day that was created in that time period than the carpets and is much better represented in museum collections.
What is the most significant threat to metal?
Human Hands
Why are human hands a large threat to the ancient metalworks?
later generations had valued the material more than the work itself so often it was melted down.
Which objects tended to fare better against humans and why?
Copper objects tended to fare better than silver or gold because precious metals are often in greater demand.
What are some techniques for producing metal objects in Islamic culture?
casting, hammering, turning and spinning.
What can be associated with identifiable regions
Specific types of objects, particular shapes and even carious forms of surface decoration
What is inlaying used for?
creating embellishments
What happens during inlaying?
an object made of one kind of metal has a pattern engraved into its surface.
Which types of metals are hammered into the objects during inlaying and why?
Silver, gold, copper and black organic compounds are hammered into recessed areas to produce decorative color and contrast
What may decorative schemes include?
geometric, floral or figural compositions and animals and birds
Which animals and birds are represented on decorative schemes?
lions, eagles, hawks, sphinxes and griffins
What do Imperial objects often illustrate?
Banquets and hunting scenes
How were many objects enhanced?
they were inscribed with types of calligraphy (this is typical for most forms Islamic art.
What types of ways can inscriptions be presented?
Kufic (an angular script) or naskhi (cursive)
What is present on these inscribed objects?
Good wishes, blessings and even glorifications of the object itself are present, as are quranic verses and prayers (this is particularly for religious objects such as mosque lamps)
