Hunt for Paradise: Court Arts of Safavid Iran 1501-76 (Hardcover)

by James Allan (Author), Sheila Canby (Author), Jon Thompson (Contributor)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
This lavish catalogue documents the most opulent period of later Persian history through over one hundred twenty five superlative works of art from public and private collections in Europe, North America and Asia, including Iran. The volume, which examines pieces chosen for their exceptional quality and historical importance, includes works in all media-carpets, paintings, metalwork, ceramics, lacquer and hardstones. Hunt for Paradise is the first exhibition catalogue to bring together these treasures from many countries in order to present a unique and comprehensive picture of the art of the Safavid court. This serious and original contribution to the study of Persian art and culture is of the highest quality and includes critical text by leading specialists in the field.


About the Author
James Allan is a professor in the department of Eastern art, Ashmolean Museum, Oxford.

Sheila Canby is a curator in the department of Oriental antiquities at the British Museum.

Jon Thompson is a textile specialist.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Skira; illustrated edition edition (January 3, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 8884915902
• ISBN-13: 978-8884915900
• Product Dimensions: 11.9 x 9.5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #860,142 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Historically Inspirational, June 13, 2007

By	Lynn Conradt-eberlin "Altan Thorunn" (Jacksonville FL) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

A good collection of illuminations that go beyond the usual. A must-have for historical re enactors interested in this period, or those inspired by hidtorical world art.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars EXCELLENT BOOK ABOUT A RELEVANT ART PERIOD, November 28, 2007

By	P. D. LIMA (Lisbonne, Portugal Portugal) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The arts on Safavid Iran , mainly during the two first Shahs , have reached a level that , in my opinion , cannot be compared with some other period of Islamic Art . For instance , talking about carpets , we can understand the preference of big collectors . But it is not a book about carpets , but a survey about almost arts , ceramics , small paintings , metalworks, even arquitecture. Very well presented and written , it should be read because the art , in that time , is so relevant as the Renaissance in Western countries .