The first object created by God; according to early Muslim commentators; was the pen; which he used to chronicle events to come. The word; in its various manifestations; is central to the Islamic faith. Surely a reflection of this centrality; profuse inscriptions mark countless Islamic objects; from the humblest oil lamps and unglazed ceramics to the finest and most expensive rock crystals and jades. The inscriptions serve numerous functions: decorating; proclaiming ownership and patronage; proffering good wishes and proverbs; and spreading religious texts throughout the world. Aside from their aesthetic worth; these inscriptions provide a fascinating window onto a distant culture. In Islamic Inscriptions; Sheila S. Blair a wealth of stunning images and incisive commentary; while also providing the newcomer to Islamic civilization with a key to unlocking the mysteries of Islamic epigraphy. In addition to chapters devoted to the main types of inscription; detailing the development of their content and style; inscriptive techniques; and the motivations behind them; the book provides practical knowledge on finding; identifying; interpreting; researching; and recording inscriptions. The variety and clarity of information presented makes Islamic Inscriptions an ideal reference for historians; curators; archaeologists; and collectors.
#4187612 in Books Wayne State University Press 1998-01-01 1998-01-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 1.25 x 6.38 x 9.32l; #File Name: 0814321984408 pages
Review
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Despite Being Frowned UponBy EliyahuUtterly fascinating; vivid; moving description of a little-known area of Judaism. Appalling as it may be to many Western Jews; saint veneration is an ancient; deeply felt practice that is shared by Jews and Muslims in North Africa; and that is tenaciously observed despite being frowned upon by the "official" arbiters of tradition.4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Absolutely EssentialBy Eric MaroneyFor the topic; this is the only book to read. It is a penetrating survey of saint veneration in Morocco and contains much material that is probably being saved for posterity (since most Moroccan Jews now live in Israel). Particularly useful is the appendix of interviews and tales. They are great stories; and belong in the pantheon of Jewish Folktales. Ben-Ami is exhaustive and meticulous in his scholarship and the work is flawless and well documented. This book deserves to be included in a series named after the great folklorist and ethnographer Raphael Patai.
