The art of the Nearer Orient is the product of many races. The phrase
covers in general the art of India, Persia, Syria, Mohammedan Egypt,
Turkey, and even, in certain aspects, the art of Spain, Portugal and
southern Italy. Although the development of this art was by no means
uniform or along the same lines, the products are all related in style,
which is unmistakable and distinct from other types of design. The most
typical manifestation of this style would appear to have originated in
Egypt about the time of the Mohammedan conquest in 638 A. D., and almost
simultaneously in Syria and northern Persia. Since the Koran forbade the
representation of any living creature, Mohammedan artists developed the
so-called arabesque style, based on geometric and floral motives. This
limitation, however, was not observed by the Persians, who introduced
human and animal life into their designs with beautiful results.
[Two Fragments of Bowls, Persian, Rhages, XIII Century. Left: Polychrome
Decoration. Right: Lustred Decoration]
Two Fragments of Bowls, Persian, Rhages, XIII Century. Left: Polychrome
Decoration, Right: Lustred Decoration
The earliest lustred ware of Persia is that found in the ruins of the
ancient city of Rhages. This prosperous city was destroyed in 1221 during
the Mongol invasion. It may be assumed that most of the fragments found
in the tumuli at Rhages date from the early years of the XIII century.
Non-lustred pottery with polychrome decoration was also produced at Rhages
during this period.
The mosque doors, from Ispahan, illustrated on the opposite page, are
particularly fine examples of Persian wood carving. The arabesque designs
are especially beautiful. The inscriptions in the upper and lower small
panels have been translated as follows:
Panel, Upper Right: Oh God, do not indifferently drive me from your door.
Panel, Upper Left: For if you do, there will be no other door open to me.
Panel, Lower Right: Oh, my heart, do not be far off from the door of those
who are sincere and faithful.
Panel, Lower Left: Anyone who is far from the door is near to God.
[Velvet Brocade Turkish, XVI Century]