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Salut Museum

EUROPEAN RESEARCH COUNCIL - UNIVERSITA' DI PISA

Islamic miniature

Islamic miniature depicting the glaziers' activity (Tait H. ed., Cinquemila anni di vetro, Cinisello Balsamo-Milan 199: fig. 136)

From the manuscript Surname-i-Humayun
Istanbul, Topkapi Sarayi Museum
Islamic Period: around 1582
 
This miniature comes from a famous manuscript, which describes the celebrations for the circumcision of the sons of the Sultan Murad III. The procession was composed by several chariots each one representing a specific corporation of the city, among which that of the glaziers.
In the picture the glaziers’ activity is represented in detail: we can see the furnace and the workers engaged in different phases of glass manufacture.
 
The glass production in Islamic countries, characterized by a peculiar style, was widespread already from the 8th century. (AL)