european influences on islamic objects
cultures in conversation
The close connections between the Islamic world and Europe meant this flow of ideas happened in both directions, and European features also appeared in Islamic iconography. You can see this particularly in the field of astronomy and astrology where the Islamic world continued the tradition of the ancient Greek world.
> THE ZODIAC SIGNS
> THE CONSTELLATIONS
> THE PLANETS
the zodiac signs
INFLUENCES: cultures in conversation
The signs of the zodiac in Islamic art are borrowed from Classical Antiquity and are easily recognisable on the outer rim of this astrolabe. Look out for Pisces (the fish) next to the alidade (pointer).
Astrolabe with Lunar Mansions. Abd al-Karim, Egypt or Syria, 1227–28 CE. HSM inv. 37148
the zodiac signs
INFLUENCES: cultures in conversation
On an inner circle you can also see images of so-called 'lunar mansions', or groups of stars through which the moon moves. These lunar mansions are a combination of Indian and Bedouin traditions.
Astrolabe with Lunar Mansions. Abd al-Karim, Egypt or Syria, 1227–28 CE. HSM inv. 37148
the constellations
INFLUENCES: cultures in conversation
The iconography of the constellations is also borrowed from Classical Antiquity. The engraved inscriptions on this globe state that the star positions were taken from the Book
of Constellations by Abu al-Husayn ‘Abd al-Rahman al-Sufi (903-986 CE). Al-Sufi himself says at the beginning of his book that he modelled his
star charts on those produced by
the Greek astronomer Ptolemy
(died c. 170 CE).
Celestial globe. Ja’far ibn ‘Umar ibn Dawlatshah al-Kirmani, Iran, 1362–63 CE.
HSM inv. 44790
the planets
INFLUENCES: cultures in conversation
This incense burner from Syria features the Sun at the centre of each hemisphere and: the Moon MercuryVenusMarsSaturn, and Jupiter in roundels repeated on each hemisphere.
Incense burner of pierced and engraved brass inlaid with silver.
Syria, late 1200s CE.
the planets
INFLUENCES: cultures in conversation
These images of the planets are taken from Classical Antiquity. Mars in the Classical tradition is sometimes represented as a man holding a sword and a severed head exactly as on this incense burner.
Personification of the planet Mars with severed head and sword in a Latin manuscript.
Liber astrologiae Georgii Zapari,
1300s CE.
© Bibliothèque nationale de France,
Paris: Lat. 7330, fol. 48r.
Detail from incense burner of pierced and engraved brass inlaid with silver.
Syria, late 1200s CE.
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Influences 2: Precious and Rare (Courtauld)
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Transcript
european influences on islamic objects
cultures in conversation
The close connections between the Islamic world and Europe meant this flow of ideas happened in both directions, and European features also appeared in Islamic iconography. You can see this particularly in the field of astronomy and astrology where the Islamic world continued the tradition of the ancient Greek world.
> THE ZODIAC SIGNS
> THE CONSTELLATIONS
> THE PLANETS
the zodiac signs
INFLUENCES: cultures in conversation
The signs of the zodiac in Islamic art are borrowed from Classical Antiquity and are easily recognisable on the outer rim of this astrolabe. Look out for Pisces (the fish) next to the alidade (pointer).
Astrolabe with Lunar Mansions. Abd al-Karim, Egypt or Syria, 1227–28 CE. HSM inv. 37148
the zodiac signs
INFLUENCES: cultures in conversation
On an inner circle you can also see images of so-called 'lunar mansions', or groups of stars through which the moon moves. These lunar mansions are a combination of Indian and Bedouin traditions.
Astrolabe with Lunar Mansions. Abd al-Karim, Egypt or Syria, 1227–28 CE. HSM inv. 37148
the constellations
INFLUENCES: cultures in conversation
The iconography of the constellations is also borrowed from Classical Antiquity. The engraved inscriptions on this globe state that the star positions were taken from the Book of Constellations by Abu al-Husayn ‘Abd al-Rahman al-Sufi (903-986 CE). Al-Sufi himself says at the beginning of his book that he modelled his star charts on those produced by the Greek astronomer Ptolemy (died c. 170 CE).
Celestial globe. Ja’far ibn ‘Umar ibn Dawlatshah al-Kirmani, Iran, 1362–63 CE. HSM inv. 44790
the planets
INFLUENCES: cultures in conversation
This incense burner from Syria features the Sun at the centre of each hemisphere and: the Moon MercuryVenusMarsSaturn, and Jupiter in roundels repeated on each hemisphere.
Incense burner of pierced and engraved brass inlaid with silver. Syria, late 1200s CE.
the planets
INFLUENCES: cultures in conversation
These images of the planets are taken from Classical Antiquity. Mars in the Classical tradition is sometimes represented as a man holding a sword and a severed head exactly as on this incense burner.
Personification of the planet Mars with severed head and sword in a Latin manuscript. Liber astrologiae Georgii Zapari, 1300s CE. © Bibliothèque nationale de France, Paris: Lat. 7330, fol. 48r.
Detail from incense burner of pierced and engraved brass inlaid with silver. Syria, late 1200s CE.
We hope you enoyed your visit
> Come back and see us again