Design and color in Islamic architecture : eight centuries of the tile-makers's art
By: photographs by Roland and Sabrina Michaud ; text by Michael Barry.
Contributors: Michaud, Sabrina.; Barry, Mike, 1948-
Publisher: Vendome Press; Distributed in the USA and Canada by Rizzoli International Publications through St. Martin's Press
Published: 1996
Place of publication: New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 315
Subjects: Tiles, Islamic -- Asia; Tiles -- Asia; Decoration and ornament, Architectural -- Asia; Architecture, Islamic -- Asia; Color in architecture -- Asia
Description: This highly unusual book gathers together the largest collection of photographs ever published of the astonishing tiled domes, minarets and walls of Islamic Asia.

Michael Barry's text draws on a wealth of historical, technical and iconographic information to illuminate the history and meaning of these remarkable decorations.

He traces the history of Islamic architectural tiles from their first major appearance at the end of the twelfth century as a means of protection from the weather, through their apogee in the fifteenth century which saw them perhaps at their most ornate, right up to the present day when Herat's tilemasters still perpetuate the finest medieval traditions.

Beginning with a highly evocative traveller's impression of modern Afghanistan, the text combines profound historical knowledge with insight into the technical innovations that shaped the course of tile decoration in medieval Islam. In addition, in order to explore the symbolism behind the seven colors Michael Barry turns to one of the greatest medieval Persian-language poets, Nezami of Ganjeh, and his verse romance The Brides of the Seven Climes.

He translates this series of tales, which are as charming and gripping as any in the Thousand and One Nights, and in his commentary provides a fascinating glimpse of the philosophical, literary and religious context for Nezami's work.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. 308-309) and index.