Caliphs to Kings includes rarely seen Islamic objects ranging from textiles to ceramics to gold. Emphasizing themes of longevity; continuity; and transmission in the Islamic decorative arts and sciences of medieval Spain; the book includes works dating from the time of the Arab conquest of the Iberian Peninsula in the eighth century to the final phase of Muslim life in Spain in the sixteenth century. Objects from tenth-century Cordoba illustrate the creation of a unique court aesthetic under the caliphate that was widely copied by both Muslim and Christian rulers in the following centuries. Later works show the eclectic aesthetic; intellectual; and political culture that resulted from the Christian conquests in the eleventh to the fifteenth centuries of the cities of Andalusia. During the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries; Muslim craftsmen working both in the kingdom of Granada and for Christian patrons (the crown; nobility; and the Church) in Seville; Toledo; Cordoba; and Valencia produced some of the most beautiful and evocative ceramics and textiles of the time; items that were exported throughout Europe and served as models for silk and ceramic industries in regions including the Italian peninsula. Works of particular note include a tenth-century ivory pyxis from Cordoba; an early fifteenth-century armorial carpet from Murcia made for the queen of Argon; and two exquisite; illuminated Hebrew Bibles.
#1595912 in Books 2002-06-15Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x .75 x 6.00l; .77 #File Name: 029272540X216 pages
Review
14 of 16 people found the following review helpful. Helps balance the Texas rah-rahBy Ronald T. McCoyRichard Flores has produced a book that should give interested readers cause to pause and engage in some reflection. The syntax is a bit dense; as seems the case with postmodernist writing in general. But once you get past the jargon; he's put together a strong case for how the "sacred space" of the Alamo has been both created and reinforced. As might be expected; the Hispanic population comes out on the short end of the stick. There's a good deal more here than simply postmodernist political correctness. Flores has done his homework; doesn't seek to hide his own biases under the misleading rubic "objective" (there's no such thing in history and anthropology anyway); and provides abundant references to material for interested readers to explore on their own. A provocative and interesting piece of work. It requires paying attention to the detail; but doing so is well worth the effort. Readers who've bought the whole Anglos-wrested-Texas-from-them-Mexicans-in-the-name-of-freedom malarky should steer clear of Flores's book: it'll only get them het up. But students of myth and memory will be amply rewarded.5 of 6 people found the following review helpful. Scholarly and fascinatingBy James R. FrancisThis is U.of Texas anthropology professor Richard R. Flores's brilliant analysis of the symbolically manufactured cultural resonance of the Alamo across nearly two centuries: first; within 19th century San Antonio's transformation (with much turbulence) from a Mexican villa to an American city; and then later in folklore; film; and television. A fascinating read; especially for those curious Texans who cherish their state's rich Hispanic heritage; and are not afraid to question the quasi-sacred symbolism they were taught in school.Fav. Quote: "Public history should open the door to curiosity about the past; not render it conclusive and known."
