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.‎