The different empires

Hey everyone!!
 Welcome back today in this blog i"ll share with you the differences that were there in the Pre islamic period and Post islamic period. We will be mainly dividing our blog between two dynasties that is PRE-ISLAMIC dynasties and POST-ISLAMIC Dynasties.

Pre Islamic dynasties include Greeks, Romans, Achaemenids and the Sassanians. Whereas Post Islamic Dynasties include Khorasans , Ilkhanids , Timurid.

gold coin from greece
source-google images 

The Ancient Greeks from 700-30 BCE who leaved a great deal about metal work from the persians, excelled in hammering, embossing, engraving, soldering and metal intaglio, as well as bronze clasting. The craftsmen placed the emphasis on aesthetics rather than functionality and achieved their high point during the time of classical period of greek art about 320 BCE.

a container from ancient greece made from bronze
source-google images

   It is famous for a thing. First its exceptional bronze sculpture created by sculptors like Phildias (488 - 431 BCE), Myon and polykleitos and many other. Bronze was the preferred medium of sculptor, because its combination of strength and lightness evalded the creation of poses that could not be produced in the marble.

sassanian palte
source-google images

            A number of Sasanid silver vessels have survived, especially rather large plates or bowls used to serve food. These have high quality engraved or embossed decoration from a courtly repertoire of mounted king or heroes, and scenes of hunting, combat and feasting often partially gilded.

sassanian plate
source-google images

      A special feature of this is represented by shells of silver and gold, on the inner surface of which a scene is etched into a relief. About a hindered specimens are known of which demonstrate the literary splendor of the court. Often, a ruler is shown as the hunt, he usually sits on a horse that moves in a flying gallop. The face often appears in three quarter view. There are also peaceful representations that occur such as depicts of animals and fantasy creatures.

lion with wings also called as griffin
source-google images

          In the 4th and 5th centuries the focal character of the shells shares with small character. Another group of metals richly decorated vessels whose shape may have been adopted from the custom of the mediterranean.

mythical creatures
source-google images

                    

POST ISLAMIC PERIOD

Khorasans

a khorasan container
source-google images

Khorasans did their metal work primarily on brass. The object could be divided into two general types : one inlaid with precious metal, the other engraved and timed. Both are distinguished from earlier by their shapes, techniques, inscriptions and decorations.

another container from khorasans
source-google images

A type of pot bellied jug with a dragon handle was especially common. Other shapes included shallow dishes, deep basins and covered bowls and candlesticks that occasionally preserve sockets in the form of pair of entwined dragons.

with calligraphy
source-google images

The inlay technique is much finer than earlier using slender strips of sheet metal wires engraved and tin represent higher quality and greater quantity. They are now produced as luxury. Tinning was used externally to create a silvery surface and color and contrast was added to both inlaid and engraved objects by filling the background with a bitminous black material. Epigraphy and floral and vegetal motifs are the primary means of decoration. Figural imaginary is rare.

a plate from that era
source-google images

Ilkhanid were one of the most expensive empires of those times and so was their living.

They surrounded themselves with opulent functional objects from wine containers to serving trays, storage jars to food bowls, lighting device to wash basins.

an ilkhanid pot
source-google images

Inlaid metalwork was highly prized and costly. The gold and silver inlays that were gently hammered in the indentations carved in the bronze or brass surface rare mostly disappeared but it is still possible to appreciate the technical and artistic skills of the craftsmen.

jug to store liquids
source-google images

Under the Timurid dynasty the objects, their form, function, fine gold and silver inlaid decoration and epigraphic style combine different artistic traditions from everywhere, which must have brought through Timur's victorious campaigns.

curvy motifs
source-google images

The inscriptions frequently consisted of Persian poetry, generally well inscribed and free of mistakes and at times reflecting contemporary development in calligraphy such as the new nesta'liq script.

with calligraphy
source-google images

a big mouth pot
source-google images

Metal work from the first decades of the 16th century under the Safavid dynasty contiued the forms, techniques, and styles that had evolved in the preceeding centutry in eastern Iran. Such wares can only br distinguishe from earlier Timurid examples on the basis of the dates or the content of their inscription. As in the preceding period, the most frequent types of dated object is a pot bellied jug with dragon shaped handle invalid in gold or silver. Another common form perhaps newly introduced in a small, cylindrical ink with dome shaped cover.

safavid dynasty
source-google images

I hope this post was informative enough and see you soon!!

stay tuned! stay happy! and keep smiling :D