Highlighting the science in Islamic art

Exploring the many wonders of the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) could be daunting for some, given the wide array of artefacts that the spectacular structure stores. To make matters easy for the culture curious, MIA has compiled a series of tours such as the Highlights Tour and the Chinese Trail Tour. Here, we share with you MIA’s fascinating Science in Art Tour: Planispheric AstrolabeThe Astrolabe is a scientific instrument that was used throughout the Islamic world for many centuries. One of its principal uses in Islam was to determine prayer time and direction of prayer towards Makkah. The principles of an astrolabe’s function were first developed in ancient Greece. Astrolabes were then developed and widely used in the Islamic world, before being re-introduced to Europe, by the 12th century, through Islamic Spain. This particular astrolabe bears the signature of one of the leading astronomers and mathematicians of the Islamic world, Hamid ibn al-Khidr al-Khujandi. This piece — Baghdad, Iraq, 984-985 CE — can be found in the Museum’s Introductory Gallery on Floor 2. Celestial GlobeMade of brass and engraved with a map of the constellations, this celestial globe was made in Lahore in what is now Pakistan. The production of astronomical instruments in South Asia, in the form of astrolabes and celestial globes, gained increasing popularity in the mid-16th century under the Mughal Emperor Humayun, who was fascinated by astronomy and astrology. Celestial globes also became popular artistic items, prized by rulers and adventurers alike. This piece — Lahore, 1639-1640 CE — can be found in the Science in Art Gallery on Floor 2. Anatomical IllustrationsMuch of our medical knowledge today comes from scientific advances in the medieval Islamic world. This manuscript page is part of a late 18th century copy of the famous Tashrih-i Mansuri, a history of anatomy. The Tashrih-i Mansuri is considered the first anatomical treatise written within the Islamic world. It was developed in the 14th century by a scholar called Mansur al-Kashmiri al-Balkhi, who came from the city of Balkh in modern-day Afghanistan, written in both Persian and Arabic. This piece — Near East, 18th century — can be found in the Science in Art Gallery on Floor 2.FolioAja’ib al-Makhluqat wa Ghara’ib al-Mawjudat, or The Wonders of Creation and the Oddities of Existence was written by the celebrated geographer and natural historian, Zakariyya ibn Muhammad al-Qazwini (c1203 – 83). This is an illustrated work that describes mythical and living creatures, the planets and natural elements, plants and animals. This manuscript is possibly the earliest existing copy of the text and was almost certainly written in the author’s lifetime. This piece — Syria, 1275-1300 CE — can be found in Gallery 11. AlbarelloCalled an Albarello, this type of jar was used by a medicine expert known as a ‘pharmacist’ or ‘apothecary’ to hold his drugs and ointments. Jars like this one were first produced in the Middle East, where apothecaries were developing different medicines made of plants and minerals to cure a range of diseases. This particular albarello was made in Damascus, Syria, possibly intended for us by for a European apothecary in the Italian city of Florence as there is a European style shield in the centre. This piece — Syria, 1400-1425 CE — can be found in the Pattern in Art Gallery on Floor 2.DoorsThe Mamluk rulers built mosques, mausolea and madrasas in their capital at Cairo, and commissioned elaborate artworks to decorate their architectural projects — particularly enamelled and gilded glass, inlaid metalwork, textiles and woodwork. These two doors are an excellent example of Mamluk arts. They show the great variety of infinite geometric patterns that were developed by mathematicians in the Islamic world. This piece — Cairo, Egypt, 1300-1400 CE — can be found in the Pattern in Art Gallery on Floor 2. Gem-set enamelled Gold FalconThis gem-set enamelled gold falcon was made in India during the period of Mughal rule across South Asia (1526 — 1858 CE). This object is interesting not only for its artistic beauty, but also for the wide range of materials that have been used in its creation. Enamel, a kind of melted glass, is used to create this falcon’s coloured feathers. The white enamelled chest is decorated with feather markings in very dark green enamel that resembles cloud bands or tiger stripes, and is embellished at the centre with a golden sapphire set in an octagonal collet. This falcon also has a sapphire and emerald-set beak and wears a faceted emerald cap. This piece — India, 1628-1649 CE — can be found in the India and Turkey 16th-18th century Gallery on Floor 3.