The art of metalwork has been one of the
principal forms of artistic expression in the
Islamic world. Responding to the taste
and needs
of different social and economic classes,
artists
continuously explored the technical and
decorative potential of their materials to
transform simple, functional objects into
highly
refined works of art. This silver ring is a
beautiful
example of the mastery of metalwork by
Islamic
artists, even when working on such a
personal,
intimate level. Set into the center of this
ring is
an antique Islamic coin, itself an object of
Oriental splendor. The obverse of the coin
features a calligraphic text. Because
idolatry is
forbidden in Islam, much like in Judaism
and
Christianity, calligraphy developed into
one of
the highest art forms in the Muslim world.
Artists, who were confined to abstract
subject
matters, sought to transform the words of
the
Koran themselves into art so that the
words of
Allah, as transcribed by the profit
Mohammed,
become as pleasing to the eye as they are
to the
ear. Alongside calligraphy, Muslim artists
embraced geometric and floral decorative
motifs
that filled the bodies of their vessels, the
borders
of their manuscripts, and stones of their
buildings. The silver setting of this ring
features
intricate incised patterns so that virtually
no
exposed part of the ring remains
unadorned. We
can imagine this ring resting on the finger
of a
wealthy Muslim centuries ago. Today, it is
a
stunning symbol of the wealth and beauty
of the
arts of Islam.
- (LR.014)
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