islamic influences on european objects
cultures in conversation
Italian artisans started producing objects featuring Islamic decorative motifs in the 1500s. They became so popular that often the origin of their decorative elements was totally forgotten.
> USE OF METAL INLAY WITH ITALIAN DESIGN
> USE OF METAL INLAY WITH ISLAMIC DESIGN
> USE OF ISLAMIC DESIGN WITHOUT METAL INLAY
UsE OF METAL INLAY With ITALIAN DESIGN
INFLUENCES: cultures in conversation
Italian artists copied the metal inlay technique directly from the Islamic world. The famous Italian artist Benvenuto Cellini (1500–71 CE)
wrote in his memoirs: “there fell into my hands some little Turkish daggers ... They were engraved by means of iron implements with foliage in the most exquisite Turkish style, very neatly filled in with gold. The sight of them stirred in me a great desire to try my own skill in that branch, so different from the others which I practised; and finding that I succeeded to my satisfaction, I executed several pieces.”
Set of Drawing Instruments made in the Islamic-metalwork style.
Italy, early 1500s CE. HSM inv. 52444
UsE OF METAL INLAY WITH ISLAMIC DESIGN
INFLUENCES: cultures in conversation
In Italian there are two ways
of describing the metal inlay
technique. Both reveal its Islamic
origin:Damaschina or alla
damaschina, which means
“the Damascus way” Alla zimina or alla agemina or
ageminato which comes from
the Arabic word ‘ajam,
meaning “barbarian, non-Arabs,
or Persians”.
Dish of engraved high-tin bronze inlaid with
silver. Italy (Venice?), 1500s CE.
UsE OF METAL INLAY WITH ISLAMIC DESIGN
INFLUENCES: cultures in conversation
This Italian plate is technically very
similar to an Islamic one with typical
Islamic decorative motifs. But these
motifs are treated here in a much more
crowded and elaborate way compared
with the linear simplicity of the Islamic
prototype.
split palmette
Dish of engraved high-tin bronze inlaid with
silver. Italy (Venice?), 1500s CE.
palmette
loop palmette
UsE OF islamic design without METAL INLAY
INFLUENCES: cultures in conversation
These
candlesticks were made in Italy and
their shape is based on an Italian
model but they are decorated with
Islamic-style patterns.
On their
surface you can see so-called split
palmettes and knots
typical of Islamic decorations.
Italy (Venice) 1500s CE.
Pair of candlesticks of engraved brass,
with later reworking.
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> Come back and see us again
Influences 1: Precious and Rare (Courtauld)
History of Science M
Created on October 9, 2020
Final circ for sign-off: Courtauld Full Exhibition (all themes)
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Transcript
islamic influences on european objects
cultures in conversation
Italian artisans started producing objects featuring Islamic decorative motifs in the 1500s. They became so popular that often the origin of their decorative elements was totally forgotten.
> USE OF METAL INLAY WITH ITALIAN DESIGN
> USE OF METAL INLAY WITH ISLAMIC DESIGN
> USE OF ISLAMIC DESIGN WITHOUT METAL INLAY
UsE OF METAL INLAY With ITALIAN DESIGN
INFLUENCES: cultures in conversation
Italian artists copied the metal inlay technique directly from the Islamic world. The famous Italian artist Benvenuto Cellini (1500–71 CE) wrote in his memoirs: “there fell into my hands some little Turkish daggers ... They were engraved by means of iron implements with foliage in the most exquisite Turkish style, very neatly filled in with gold. The sight of them stirred in me a great desire to try my own skill in that branch, so different from the others which I practised; and finding that I succeeded to my satisfaction, I executed several pieces.”
Set of Drawing Instruments made in the Islamic-metalwork style. Italy, early 1500s CE. HSM inv. 52444
UsE OF METAL INLAY WITH ISLAMIC DESIGN
INFLUENCES: cultures in conversation
In Italian there are two ways of describing the metal inlay technique. Both reveal its Islamic origin:Damaschina or alla damaschina, which means “the Damascus way” Alla zimina or alla agemina or ageminato which comes from the Arabic word ‘ajam, meaning “barbarian, non-Arabs, or Persians”.
Dish of engraved high-tin bronze inlaid with silver. Italy (Venice?), 1500s CE.
UsE OF METAL INLAY WITH ISLAMIC DESIGN
INFLUENCES: cultures in conversation
This Italian plate is technically very similar to an Islamic one with typical Islamic decorative motifs. But these motifs are treated here in a much more crowded and elaborate way compared with the linear simplicity of the Islamic prototype.
split palmette
Dish of engraved high-tin bronze inlaid with silver. Italy (Venice?), 1500s CE.
palmette
loop palmette
UsE OF islamic design without METAL INLAY
INFLUENCES: cultures in conversation
These candlesticks were made in Italy and their shape is based on an Italian model but they are decorated with Islamic-style patterns.
On their surface you can see so-called split palmettes and knots typical of Islamic decorations.
Italy (Venice) 1500s CE. Pair of candlesticks of engraved brass, with later reworking.
We hope you enoyed your visit
> Come back and see us again