This visit of mine was one of the most rewarding experience I have had going to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. During this visit, I was given a chance to explore the West Wing of the museum. In this wing, against the wall the viewers can see artifacts across the ages of Islamic history. From regular house potteries to coronation sword, you can see it all. The tour guide for this forum was Professor Steven Wolfe. Professor Wolfe took on a journey through the age of Islam and began explaining how the Muslim religion has influenced other cultures. Professor Wolfe began by showing us some common pieces, like house pottery and idols.
Next, as we moved through the wing looking at different pieces, I notice a payer carpet that Professor Wolfe (Art Department at Fordham University) did not talk about, but rather just passed by on the way. On the carpet it-self I noticed intricate designs in the form of mosque, a prayer bowl hanging in the middle of a archway of the mosque, stars, and a moon (a common symbolism of the Islam and the Muslim culture). The following piece that were given a great deal of attention was common Chinese pottery with design similar to Islamic designs. In regards to the Chinese pottery, Professor Wolfe spoke a great deal about the influences Islam has had on the rest of the world. He began by explaining how these influences started and then moved towards why it was significant.
According to Professor Wolfe, Islam’s main success and the true reason why it survived so long is due to its way of begin able to adapt. These art pieces survived because of their influences not because its people kept them from being destroyed. During the tour, I did not realize why Professor Wolfe stressed these influences but know that I have heard them and can consider then a little more clearly, now I know why they are important to Islam and us.
For the duration of this visit, the only items that I found interesting in regards to Islamic art were a selective few pieces. For instance, my favorite of all the items was a jewel encrusted coronation sword, which holds numerous emerald and diamonds on it. The blade itself is hand crafted and the handle itself is of Islamic/Indian design with jewels on almost every inch of it. I found this piece most significant because it not only reminded me of my Indian art but also who similar this sword looks to that of a Raja’s sword (Indian word for King). Another item that I found wired but also very intriguing was a begging bowl (Kashkul). Professor Wolfe did not mention much about this item but I still find the mysteries that it holds most fascinating. During my own research, I found out that numerous Sufi holy men and the poor individuals used the Kashkul as a way of asking or begging for alms of food and daily bread. The bowl is in the shape of a double coconut (coco-de-mer) and bears the signature of the maker on it. It strictly serves the purpose of its name, a bowl to ask for alms. The final item that caught my eye at the conclusion of the forum was selective pages from the Quran. Aside from these printed pages of Islamic writings, there is no actual book like that of Christianity that houses Allah’s message. I found it very interesting that pages of a holy book would be considered art rather than an important book.
Next, as we moved through the wing looking at different pieces, I notice a payer carpet that Professor Wolfe (Art Department at Fordham University) did not talk about, but rather just passed by on the way. On the carpet it-self I noticed intricate designs in the form of mosque, a prayer bowl hanging in the middle of a archway of the mosque, stars, and a moon (a common symbolism of the Islam and the Muslim culture). The following piece that were given a great deal of attention was common Chinese pottery with design similar to Islamic designs. In regards to the Chinese pottery, Professor Wolfe spoke a great deal about the influences Islam has had on the rest of the world. He began by explaining how these influences started and then moved towards why it was significant.
According to Professor Wolfe, Islam’s main success and the true reason why it survived so long is due to its way of begin able to adapt. These art pieces survived because of their influences not because its people kept them from being destroyed. During the tour, I did not realize why Professor Wolfe stressed these influences but know that I have heard them and can consider then a little more clearly, now I know why they are important to Islam and us.
For the duration of this visit, the only items that I found interesting in regards to Islamic art were a selective few pieces. For instance, my favorite of all the items was a jewel encrusted coronation sword, which holds numerous emerald and diamonds on it. The blade itself is hand crafted and the handle itself is of Islamic/Indian design with jewels on almost every inch of it. I found this piece most significant because it not only reminded me of my Indian art but also who similar this sword looks to that of a Raja’s sword (Indian word for King). Another item that I found wired but also very intriguing was a begging bowl (Kashkul). Professor Wolfe did not mention much about this item but I still find the mysteries that it holds most fascinating. During my own research, I found out that numerous Sufi holy men and the poor individuals used the Kashkul as a way of asking or begging for alms of food and daily bread. The bowl is in the shape of a double coconut (coco-de-mer) and bears the signature of the maker on it. It strictly serves the purpose of its name, a bowl to ask for alms. The final item that caught my eye at the conclusion of the forum was selective pages from the Quran. Aside from these printed pages of Islamic writings, there is no actual book like that of Christianity that houses Allah’s message. I found it very interesting that pages of a holy book would be considered art rather than an important book.
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