Glass of the Sultans

Islamic glassmakers were not only brilliant technicians and innovators in their own right, but they also preserved many of the methods of Late Antique Roman craftsmen, passing them on centuries later to Venetian and other European masters. This lovely book is the first comprehensive study of the accomplishments of these artisans. The volume presents glass objects from collections throughout the worldfrom perfume flasks to pitchers, mosque lanterns to boxes, inkwells to vasesranging from the seventh to the nineteenth century and through many of the major artistic centers of the Muslim world.Five introductory essays cover all facets of the subject, including historical background, archaeological excavations, issues of connoisseurship, technology, and science. The authors then discuss 150 masterworks of Islamic glass, grouped by technique or type of decoration (blown, mold-blown, hot-worked, mosaic, painted, cut, and engraved), each of which is illustrated in full color. Examples of European glass objects are also included as illuminating reference points.The book is the catalogue of an exhibition that opens at the Corning Museum of Glass in May 2001 and at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in October 2001.Stefano Carboni is associate curator in the department of Islamic art at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. David Whitehouse is executive director of the Corning Museum of Glass. Robert Brill is the research scientist at Corning, and William Gudenrath is the resident adviser there.Carboni, Stefano is the author of 'Glass of the Sultans' with ISBN 9780300088519 and ISBN 0300088515.