Brilliant Objects Collection
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Timeline
A timeline of materials, methods, patrons, and movements.
The timeline is not a dynasty list. It is a making history asking what metals were valued, what forms were common, which workshops mattered, and which techniques gained visual importance.
Seven Chronological Phases
1
7th–8th century
Early Islam and Late Antique Foundations
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2
8th–10th century
Umayyad and Abbasid Experimentation
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3
9th–12th century
Early Medieval Iran and Khurasan
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4
12th–13th century
Seljuk, Ayyubid, Artuqid and Jazira Inlay
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5
13th–15th century
Mongol, Ilkhanid and Mamluk Transformations
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6
16th–18th century
Ottoman, Safavid, Mughal and Deccani Metalwork
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7
19th century–today
19th–21st Century Revival and Living Craft
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Timeline Ethics
The timeline includes moments of disruption: warfare, Mongol conquest, changes in patronage, colonial collecting, industrial competition, and market revival. A responsible history explains both masterpieces and the social conditions that made, moved, damaged, repaired, or preserved them.
Continuity and Change
Some techniques, such as casting and hammering sheet, predate Islam and continue across all periods. Others become especially visible at particular moments:
- •Early Islamic bronzes and inherited late antique traditions
- •Khurasan and Iranian engraved and inlaid wares
- •13th-century Jazira and Mosul-associated luxury brass
- •Mamluk inlaid basins and candlesticks
- •Ottoman tombak, Safavid steel and copper alloys
- •Deccani bidriware and modern revival metalwork
