080054 PS Fallstudie II/III: The Mediterranean Horizon: Fatimid Art and its Diffusion (10th-12th C.) (au.K.) (2015S)

“Fatimid” is the name of an Arab dynasty that traced descent from Fatima, the Prophet Muhammad's daughter, via the Ismaili sect of the Shi'i branch of Islam. The dynasty was established in Tunisia in 909. It soon controlled Sicily, then Egypt, founding the city of Cairo in 969. The dynasty also expanded towards Syria and controlled the lucrative trade between India, the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean, thus leaving its mark on the whole of the Mediterranean world. The Fatimid capital of Cairo became one of the wealthiest cities and most brilliant cultural and artistic centers of the medieval world. In addition to monumental religious and secular architecture, the Fatimid caliphs and viziers showed an unparalleled taste for pomp and luxury, which found expression in their artistic products. In addition to sophisticated architectural decoration, Fatimid art includes ceremonial clothes made from silk and linen, carved rock-crystal and ivory art works, ceramic objects with metallic tints (lusterware)… that were amongst the best examples of medieval art works. These objects were treasured by the caliphs and court members, but many were exported or lost, and some were brought to European churches and royal collections, contributing to the diffusion of Fatimid art even after the defeat of the dynasty by Saladin in 1171.