Art Of The Mamluks
Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, D.C., 1981
Esin Atil
Publication made possible by a grant from United Technologies Corporation.
About the Author: Esin Atil, a native of Turkey, received a Ph.D. degree
from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Dr. Atil has been curator of
Near Eastern art at the Smithsonian Institution's Freer Gallery of Art in
Washington, D.C.
Historical Summary: Mamluk Empire (1250 - 1517 AD)
Following the Ayyubid state in 1250 AD, the Mamluk sultans established
a formidable empire, ruling Egypt, Syria, and Palestine for more than two
hundred and fifty years, their frontiers extending from southeatern Anatolia
to the Hijaz and incorporating parts of Sudan and Libya. Soon after coming
to power, they defeated the mongols and explled the last of the Crusaders
from the Near East. Trade and agriculture flourshied under Mamluk rule,
and Cairo, their capital, became one of the wealthiest cities in the Near
East and the center of artistic and intellectual activity. It also became
the seat of the caliphate and, thus, the most prestegious capital in the
Islamic world.
Illuminated Manuscripts
The exquiste illuminations, calligraphy, and bindings of Mamluk Korans
are unequaled in any other Islamic tradition of bookmaking. The technical
and artistic virtousity found in these manuscipts is representative of the
Mamluks, who, embracing Islam with the fervor of converts, endowed elaborate
religious complexes and supplied each major foundation with its set of Korans.
Illuminated heading with Surat al-Fatiha (The Opening; I:1-7). This Koran
was donated by Shaban II (1363-76) to his foundation in 1376, four years
after it was copied on the fifteenth day of Muharram 774. The text is framed
by a gold braid with touches of color applied to the knots and enclosed
on both sides by a white braid.
Double finispiece with Surat al-Falaq (The Daybrak; CXIII: 1-5) and Surat
al-Nas (Mankind; CXIV: 1-6). Donated by Sultan Barsbay to his madrasa in
the Ambarian district of Cairo, March 16, 1425. Written in nashki script
with kufic headings.
Metalwork
The art of the Mamluks is possibly best known for the cration of spectacular
metalwork, examples of which are among the most cherished possessions of
many public and private collections around the world.
Key (bronze: inlaid with silver, 1363/64). Donated by Sultan Shaban II to
the Kaaba in Mecca. Among the sacred objects commissioned by Mamluk sultans
were keys for the Kaaba in Mecca, the most revered shrine in Islam. Mecca
and Medina were under the jurisdiction of the Mamluks, and the sultans were
responsible for the maintenance of mosques in these cities and the protection
of the pilgrimage routes. Many rulers spent a substantial portion of state
revenues on the construction of buildings and donated valuable Korans and
metalwork to teh mosques. Shaban II (1363-76), who restored the pavement
of the court of the mosque enclosing the Kaaba, donated this silver inlaid
key to the shrine.
Pierced globe (brass: inlaid with silver, circa 1270) was made for Badr
al-Din Baysari, one of the important Syrian amirs in the early Mamluk period.
The socket and neck unit (brass: inlaid with silver & gold, circa 1290)
belong to the famous candlestick made for Zayn al-Din Kitbugha while he
was an officer in the service of Sultan al-Mansur al-Ashraf Khalil (1290-93).
Rosewater sprinkler (brass: inlaid with silver & gold, mid 14th century).
Made for Sultan Hasan who is renowned for having built the most impressive
complex in Cairo and for donating hundreds of lamps to light his madrasa.
A substantial amount of metalwork was commissioned by the Sultan and his
amirs.
Box (brass: inlaid with silver, 15th century. This small oval box with flat
top appears to have been made for an unknown patron by an artist named Muhammad
ibn Ali al-Hamawi (from Hama), who was the timekeeper at the Great Mosque
of Damascus.
Acknowledgements:
IslamiCity acknowledges the use of the book, Art Of The Mamluks, by Dr.
Esin Atil, published by the Smithsonian Press in creating these pages.
This book was donated to IIN by Mrs. Fatima Khan of Calabasas, California.