A Lowdown On Islamic Arts & Crafts

Are you contemplating decorating your home with Islamic arts and crafts? Have you been looking for Islamic art and craft online India? Let’s understand what Islamic art actually is. It is a huge world that comprises many forms of arts and crafts that began being made after Islam was established as the new religion in 7th century Arabia. These arts and crafts were made by inhabitants of Muslim-majority places like the Arabiandesert, Turkey, Spain and Iran, or areas where Muslims were in minority but formed the ruling class like India. Islamic art dates back to 1400 years and includes different aspects such as calligraphy, painting, glass, pottery, and textile arts such as carpets and embroidery.

Islamic art also includes non-religious elements typical to it like geometric patterns and floral motifs. Such designs adornhomes, mosques, offices, as well as in artefacts and carpets.

1} Calligraphy: Arabic calligraphy is the most prominent aspect of Islamic art. Even though Arabic was spoken in pre-Islamic Arabia, Arabic calligraphy took off after the establishment of the new religion. The need to transcribe and compile the Holy Quran in the form of a book, and later, the requirement to adorn walls and domes of monuments with non-figurative art led to the development of Islamic or Arabic calligraphy. The walls and domes of Islamic monuments are densely filled with Arabic calligraphy.Even today, the Quran is printed in Naskh calligraphy style.

2} Miniature paintings: A miniature painting is a tiny painting on paper that is kept in an album called the ‘muraqqa’. They were first used in 13th century Iran, and later in Ottomon Turkeyand Mughal India as well. Not meant for public consumption, but only for purposes of the court, miniature paintings often depicted human and animal figures as religious restrictions were lifted for them.

3] Rugs and carpets: Next only to calligraphy in terms of prominence, carpets are a very important type of craft that Muslims created. But even as calligraphyis religious art, carpets and rugs use secular elements like floral motifs, borders and geometric patterns. Besides being applied as wall art, they also have utilitarian value, like covering floors, and being used for prayer mats. When they are used for hanging on the wall, they are decorated with calligraphy. Or else, they are not.

4} Ceramic pottery: Ceramic plates and tiles compensated for the lack of wall paintings in Muslim-majority areas. Though the earliest pottery goes back to Basra in the 8th century, the Chinese played a significant role in the development of pottery after the Mongol invasions in 13th century AD.

There are more types of Islamic art, like glass, silk and metalware made in varied areas – from Spain and Morocco to China and Indonesia.

Now, as people look for Islamic arts and crafts, new mediums like canvas and leather printing along with wall stickers have made an entry into the world of Islamic arts. Since India has abundance of arts and crafts, one can find intriguing varieties by searching for Islamic art and craft online India too.