Islamic Art Studies

Islamic Art Studies

The Significance and Status of Hormuz in the Art and Gemstone Trade during the Timurid Period (789 AH to 856 AH)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Soleyman Eskandari Rad 1
Mohammad Ali Ranjbar 2
1 Phd student of History of Iran after Islam, Department of History, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran.
2 Associate Professor, Department of History, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran.
10.22034/ias.2023.418494.2296
Abstract
Art was among the prominent cultural indicators that received special attention from the rulers during the Timurid era. Although, in this period, the interest and support of the Timurid rulers for Iranian art and artists were often employed as a means to display the power of the ruling apparatus, Iranian artists were nevertheless able to take significant steps in preserving national identity and Iranian culture through various arts such as architecture, calligraphy, and illumination, transforming Iranian art from a regional to a global phenomenon. The rise of the Timurids and the establishment of political unity across vast parts of Iran not only encouraged art and artists but also revitalized the economy and trade, endowing unique importance to a region known as Hormuz. Situated at the intersection of Iran and the world’s main maritime trade route (the Spice Route), this port played a crucial role in the commerce of the period, facilitating the exchange of a wide range of cultural and artistic goods, particularly jewelry and precious stones. Gradually, by surpassing its competitors, Hormuz became the primary center for trade and a meeting place for merchants during this era.
Research Objectives:
·       To elucidate the position of art and the status of artistic activities during the Timurid period.
·       To identify the general state of trade, with a particular focus on the gemstone trade of Hormuz during the Timurid era.
Research Questions:
·       What was the status of art and artistic activities during the Timurid period?
·       What was the role of Hormuz in the trade of objects and gemstones during the Timurid period?
Keywords
Trade
Art
Hormuz
Timurids
Gemstones

Subjects

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