Islamic Design: A Genius for Geometry (Wooden Books) [Hardcover]

Daud Sutton (Author)

Book Description

Release date: November 13, 2007 | ISBN-10: 9780802716354 | ISBN-13: 978-0802716354 | Edition: 1st

An exploration of the construction and meaning of Islamic geometric patterns.
 
Throughout their long history the craft traditions of the Islamic world evolved a multitude of styles applied to a great variety of media but always with unifying factors that make them instantly recognizable. Harmony is central. There are two key aspects to the visual structure of Islamic design--calligraphy using Arabic script (one of the world's great calligraphic traditions) and abstract ornamentation using a varied but remarkably integrated visual language. Focusing on Islamic geometric patterns, simple and complex, man-made and in nature, this book offers unique insight into Islamic culture.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Daud Sutton is director of the Thesaurus Islamicus Foundation's design studio Editio Electrum, specializing in the fine reproduction of carpet pages from ancient manuscripts. He lives in England.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 64 pages
• Publisher: Walker & Company; 1st edition (November 13, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9780802716354
• ISBN-13: 978-0802716354
• ASIN: 0802716350
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 5.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #37,024 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #39 in Books > Arts & Photography > Decorative Arts & Design > Decorative Arts

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Practically Perfect in Every Way July 29, 2009

By Harry

Format:Hardcover

I first encountered the Wooden Books series in a little bookshop in New Orleans' Garden District. Their small size were the perfect juxtaposition to their weighty (sometimes arcane) subjects. I was hooked immediately. Not every Wooden Book lives up to the series' promise, but Islamic Design certainly does -- a worthy addition to any collection.

27 of 36 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting book, but... February 11, 2010

By Malcolm Schosha

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book gives an interesting taste of Islamic design, but it is not clear what the author intended to accomplish. The subtitle is "A genius for geometry," and the book does show some designs that are both geometrically cleaver and very beautiful. But the book consists of a series of very short chapters that have little or no continuity, and I would be surprised to find anyone has succeeded in reading the book through from beginning to end. There is little said about the historical development of these designs within Islamic tradition, and nothing at all informing readers that Islamic design developed from earlier Roman (Pagan), and Byzantine (Christian) sources. Readers hoping to learn how to actually draw these, or similar, designs will almost certainly need the help of other books.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars a lovely little book September 16, 2011

By M. goldblum

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I ordered three similar books and this one, the smallest and least fussy of the bunch, was the best. Its description of the genesis and generation of the patters was clear and straightforward, without a lot of overly technical mumbo jumbo. The graphic depiction of the patterns was attractive and clear.