The arts of medieval Islam: Fatimids, Turks, Mongols and Mamluks
A course looking at the role of ideology and patronage under key Islamic dynasties that arose in Egypt and the Middle East during the 10th - 14th century, with important new influences brought by invasions of Turks and Mongols from Central Asia and the Far East.
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
Though the ‘Abbassid Caliphs of Baghdad maintained their nominal role as the spiritual heart of the Islamic world, the political reality was dominated by different factions, ethnic demographics, and conflicting ideologies engaged in constant struggles for territory and influence.
This course offers a simplified roadmap of the complex geo-political landscape from the 10th-14th century, in which Islamic material culture developed and matured. We'll examine the artistic output of Medieval dynasties and patrons that made a significant contribution to the canon of Islamic Art.
The Fatimid Caliphate emerged in North Africa in the 10th century with an ideology that challenged the Sunni majority. With resources generated by their control of trading outlets after conquest of Egypt in 967, Fatimid rulers patronized luxury craft industries that reached an unprecedented level of refinement. Master craftsmen produced exquisite objects of gold, crystal, ivory, and marble that were coveted by the Venetian traders, while elegant Sacred Art and Qur’ans graced their mosques.
At the same time Turki dynasties arose in Central Asia/Eastern Iran, the most influential being the Seljuk Dynasty that dominated Iran, Iraq, and the Near East between the 11th-13th century, bringing with them visual sensibilities from Central Asia that gave fresh impetus to decorative arts such as ceramics and metalwork.
The period culminates with the mid-13th century Mongol Invasion of Iran, Iraq and the Near East, bringing with it a century of relative stability and artistic development. An influx of Far Eastern aesthetics was to have a profound influence on decorative arts (textiles, metalwork, painting, and book design).
Finally, the rise of the Mamluk Sultans in Egypt and Syria gives us an explosion of magnificent architecture and the patronage of fine woodcarving and inlay, enamelled glass, and luxury metalware that impacted the craft-industries of Renaissance Europe.
What will we cover?
- Medieval Islamic dynasties that made a significant contribution to the canon of Islamic at.
- Specialized craft industries that developed in the Islamic world.
- Islamic visual language and craft industries that impacted on industries and tastes in Europe.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Name three Medieval dynasties that made a lasting contribution to the canon of Islamic art. - Describe three place-specific craft industries and the objects they produced - Analyse some of the Central Asian or Chinese elements in examples of Medieval Islamic art
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is suitable for all levels.
You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information. This course uses a Google Classroom to share materials. Please be familiar with or be willing to learn how to use Google Classroom to make the most of the course materials. For more on how our online learning works, please click here.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
You will be taught by lecture with slide images and you will be invited to participate in group discussion. There will be handouts provided by your tutor; these handouts will be available digitally via a Google Classroom. You will be invited to join the Google Classroom within a week of your course start date.
Please note: this is a live lecture course and will not be recorded for playback for reasons of copyright, digital infrastructure and data protection.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
You might wish to purchase a notebook for taking notes, and a folder to file your printed handouts.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Study Day: The Rise of Islam and the Life of the Prophet in Art
Study Day: The Art of the Qur’an.
Islamic art at the British Museum
Stories of the Western Sahara: art and cultural history, 8th-16th centuries.
Ceramics in the early Islamic World: 9th - 16th centuries
Anita Chowdry is a London based visual artist, educator and researcher. Her particular interest is in the arts of the Islamic World and South Asia, and the materials and processes that went into them. She has an M.A. in Art and Science from Central Saint Martin’s UAL, and is currently engaged in the codicological study of a group of 15th Century Turcoman manuscripts at the Bodleian Library, Oxford. Anita has over 30 years’ experience teaching art and process to adults and professional groups, covering major institutions in the UK and abroad.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/the-arts-of-medieval-islam-fatimids-turks-mongols-and-mamluks3047017The arts of medieval Islam: Fatimids, Turks, Mongols and Mamlukshttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/an-introduction-to-european-decorative-arts-at-the-v_a-vb909-1024.jpg189189GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Early modern world22851136117718891228511771136<p>A course looking at the role of ideology and patronage under key Islamic dynasties that arose in Egypt and the Middle East during the 10th - 14th century, with important new influences brought by invasions of Turks and Mongols from Central Asia and the Far East.</p>003046981The arts of medieval Islam: Fatimids, Turks, Mongols and Mamluks189189https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/an-introduction-to-european-decorative-arts-at-the-v_a-vb909-1024.jpgInStockDaytimeFriKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-11-06T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experienceNov 2026Culture, history & humanitiesVB326189189The arts of medieval Islam: Fatimids, Turks, Mongols and Mamluks189189189Anita Chowdrythe-arts-of-medieval-islam-fatimids-turks-mongols-and-mamluks/vb326-2627<p>A course looking at the role of ideology and patronage under key Islamic dynasties that arose in Egypt and the Middle East during the 10th - 14th century, with important new influences brought by invasions of Turks and Mongols from Central Asia and the Far East.</p>0000-Available|2026-11-06 00:00:00<p>Though the ‘Abbassid Caliphs of Baghdad maintained their nominal role as the spiritual heart of the Islamic world, the political reality was dominated by different factions, ethnic demographics, and conflicting ideologies engaged in constant struggles for territory and influence.</p><p>This course offers a simplified roadmap of the complex geo-political landscape from the 10th-14th century, in which Islamic material culture developed and matured. We'll examine the artistic output of Medieval dynasties and patrons that made a significant contribution to the canon of Islamic Art.</p><p>The Fatimid Caliphate emerged in North Africa in the 10th century with an ideology that challenged the Sunni majority. With resources generated by their control of trading outlets after conquest of Egypt in 967, Fatimid rulers patronized luxury craft industries that reached an unprecedented level of refinement. Master craftsmen produced exquisite objects of gold, crystal, ivory, and marble that were coveted by the Venetian traders, while elegant Sacred Art and Qur’ans graced their mosques.</p><p>At the same time Turki dynasties arose in Central Asia/Eastern Iran, the most influential being the Seljuk Dynasty that dominated Iran, Iraq, and the Near East between the 11th-13th century, bringing with them visual sensibilities from Central Asia that gave fresh impetus to decorative arts such as ceramics and metalwork.</p><p>The period culminates with the mid-13th century Mongol Invasion of Iran, Iraq and the Near East, bringing with it a century of relative stability and artistic development. An influx of Far Eastern aesthetics was to have a profound influence on decorative arts (textiles, metalwork, painting, and book design).</p><p>Finally, the rise of the Mamluk Sultans in Egypt and Syria gives us an explosion of magnificent architecture and the patronage of fine woodcarving and inlay, enamelled glass, and luxury metalware that impacted the craft-industries of Renaissance Europe.</p><p>A course looking at the role of ideology and patronage under key Islamic dynasties that arose in Egypt and the Middle East during the 10th - 14th century, with important new influences brought by invasions of Turks and Mongols from Central Asia and the Far East.</p><p>- Medieval Islamic dynasties that made a significant contribution to the canon of Islamic at.</p><p>- Specialized craft industries that developed in the Islamic world.</p><p>- Islamic visual language and craft industries that impacted on industries and tastes in Europe.</p><p>- Name three Medieval dynasties that made a lasting contribution to the canon of Islamic art.<br>- Describe three place-specific craft industries and the objects they produced<br>- Analyse some of the Central Asian or Chinese elements in examples of Medieval Islamic art</p><p>This course is suitable for all levels.</p><p>You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information. This course uses a Google Classroom to share materials. Please be familiar with or be willing to learn how to use Google Classroom to make the most of the course materials. For more on how our online learning works, please <a href="https://help.citylit.ac.uk/hc/en-gb/articles/11278019338525-What-is-Google-Classroom" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">click here</a>.</p><p>You will be taught by lecture with slide images and you will be invited to participate in group discussion. There will be handouts provided by your tutor; these handouts will be available digitally via a Google Classroom. You will be invited to join the Google Classroom within a week of your course start date.</p><p><strong>Please note</strong>: this is a live lecture course and will not be recorded for playback for reasons of copyright, digital infrastructure and data protection.</p><p>You might wish to purchase a notebook for taking notes, and a folder to file your printed handouts.</p><p>Study Day: The Rise of Islam and the Life of the Prophet in Art</p><p>Study Day: The Art of the Qur’an.</p><p>Islamic art at the British Museum</p><p>Stories of the Western Sahara: art and cultural history, 8th-16th centuries.</p><p>Ceramics in the early Islamic World: 9th - 16th centuries</p>Art historyEarly modern worldvirtual189189189VB326NONEFri06/11/26 - 11/12/2611:00 - 13:0011:0013:006 sessions (over 6 weeks)65-10 weeksDaytimeWeekdayKSKeeley StreetAnita ChowdryBeginners, Some experienceAvailable courses2026-11-06T00:00:00+00:00Nov 2026Culture, history & humanities189189The arts of medieval Islam: Fatimids, Turks, Mongols and Mamluksthe-arts-of-medieval-islam-fatimids-turks-mongols-and-mamluks/vb326-2627<p>A course looking at the role of ideology and patronage under key Islamic dynasties that arose in Egypt and the Middle East during the 10th - 14th century, with important new influences brought by invasions of Turks and Mongols from Central Asia and the Far East.</p>0000-Available|2026-11-06 00:00:00<p>Though the ‘Abbassid Caliphs of Baghdad maintained their nominal role as the spiritual heart of the Islamic world, the political reality was dominated by different factions, ethnic demographics, and conflicting ideologies engaged in constant struggles for territory and influence.</p><p>This course offers a simplified roadmap of the complex geo-political landscape from the 10th-14th century, in which Islamic material culture developed and matured. We'll examine the artistic output of Medieval dynasties and patrons that made a significant contribution to the canon of Islamic Art.</p><p>The Fatimid Caliphate emerged in North Africa in the 10th century with an ideology that challenged the Sunni majority. With resources generated by their control of trading outlets after conquest of Egypt in 967, Fatimid rulers patronized luxury craft industries that reached an unprecedented level of refinement. Master craftsmen produced exquisite objects of gold, crystal, ivory, and marble that were coveted by the Venetian traders, while elegant Sacred Art and Qur’ans graced their mosques.</p><p>At the same time Turki dynasties arose in Central Asia/Eastern Iran, the most influential being the Seljuk Dynasty that dominated Iran, Iraq, and the Near East between the 11th-13th century, bringing with them visual sensibilities from Central Asia that gave fresh impetus to decorative arts such as ceramics and metalwork.</p><p>The period culminates with the mid-13th century Mongol Invasion of Iran, Iraq and the Near East, bringing with it a century of relative stability and artistic development. An influx of Far Eastern aesthetics was to have a profound influence on decorative arts (textiles, metalwork, painting, and book design).</p><p>Finally, the rise of the Mamluk Sultans in Egypt and Syria gives us an explosion of magnificent architecture and the patronage of fine woodcarving and inlay, enamelled glass, and luxury metalware that impacted the craft-industries of Renaissance Europe.</p><p>A course looking at the role of ideology and patronage under key Islamic dynasties that arose in Egypt and the Middle East during the 10th - 14th century, with important new influences brought by invasions of Turks and Mongols from Central Asia and the Far East.</p><p>- Medieval Islamic dynasties that made a significant contribution to the canon of Islamic at.</p><p>- Specialized craft industries that developed in the Islamic world.</p><p>- Islamic visual language and craft industries that impacted on industries and tastes in Europe.</p><p>- Name three Medieval dynasties that made a lasting contribution to the canon of Islamic art.<br>- Describe three place-specific craft industries and the objects they produced<br>- Analyse some of the Central Asian or Chinese elements in examples of Medieval Islamic art</p><p>This course is suitable for all levels.</p><p>You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information. This course uses a Google Classroom to share materials. Please be familiar with or be willing to learn how to use Google Classroom to make the most of the course materials. For more on how our online learning works, please <a href="https://help.citylit.ac.uk/hc/en-gb/articles/11278019338525-What-is-Google-Classroom" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">click here</a>.</p><p>You will be taught by lecture with slide images and you will be invited to participate in group discussion. There will be handouts provided by your tutor; these handouts will be available digitally via a Google Classroom. You will be invited to join the Google Classroom within a week of your course start date.</p><p><strong>Please note</strong>: this is a live lecture course and will not be recorded for playback for reasons of copyright, digital infrastructure and data protection.</p><p>You might wish to purchase a notebook for taking notes, and a folder to file your printed handouts.</p><p>Study Day: The Rise of Islam and the Life of the Prophet in Art</p><p>Study Day: The Art of the Qur’an.</p><p>Islamic art at the British Museum</p><p>Stories of the Western Sahara: art and cultural history, 8th-16th centuries.</p><p>Ceramics in the early Islamic World: 9th - 16th centuries</p>Art historyEarly modern worldconfigurable
18891136Early modern worldhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/art-history/early-modern-world1/2/285/1177/1136/18891/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Early modern world
