Sheila Canby

A reissue of this popular title with a fresh new paperback format, this collection of beautiful Persian love poetry is richly illustrated with images from the British Museum s world - famous collection. Love is everywhere in Persian poetry and can be interpreted in various ways: as mystic love, the basis of the relationship between humans and God; as passionate or affectionate love between lovers, husbands and wives, parents and children, family and friends; even as patriotic love for Iran. The literary style and indeed the Persian language itself are floral and elaborate, but the themes differ little from our preoccupations with love and romance today. With a brief introduction to the Persian poetic tradition and a short biographical note about each of the major poets, this beautiful anthology is the perfect way to discover the treasures of Persian literature and art.

This stunning book offers an exceptional view of design, workmanship and craft in paintings and manuscripts, calligraphy, metalwork, ceramics, jade, glass, wood and ivory. The book opens with an explanation of the characteristics common to artistic creativity stretching back to the seventh century, from Spain to Indonesia. Works of superlative quality are then organised into chapters relating to central themes such as religion and belief, the supernatural and natural worlds, feasting, the hunt, war, music and power. The author explores each magnificent artwork in turn, providing cultural context and pointing out special features. By showing the complete artwork as well as enlarged details - sometimes virtually invisible to the naked eye - intriguing comparisons can be drawn and juxtapositions made between seemingly unrelated media. The selection of illustrations evokes the hand and eye of the most accomplished artists of the Islamic world.