T H E FAT I M I D S 9 0 9 1 1 7 1 A . D.

The Aghlabids Map

The Fatimids: Claimed descendants of the Prophet (S) through the daughter Fatima who married Ali (the Prophets cousin) Shiah (or Shiite) from shiat Ali Shiah Ismailiah = from the 7th imam Ismail Began in Khuzistan Southern Iraq mid 9th century Moved to Salamiya and continued dawah mission Abu AbdAllah al-Shii settled in Ifriqiya early 10th century with the support of the Berbers UbaidAllah flee Salamiya, detained in Sijilmasa (southern Morocco) later freed by Abu AbdAllah Founded Shiite Fatimid caliphate in Tunisia in 910

 Al-Mahdiya founded in 921 as the capital Fustat (capital of Egypt) conquered in 969 Founded their own capital AlQahirah the Victorious and worked to dismember the Abbasids empire Objective: to unite the Muslim world under Shiite doctrine

The Fatimids Map

Artistic Characteristics: Forms a bridge between the east and west, the Umayyads and the Abbasids Reinvigorated the Hellenism tradition through their contact with the Christian powers to the north Expression of religious zeal in art and architecture with a doctrine which is both political and spiritual The rise of the Druse religious community (1017-1021), venerating the Fatimid calip al-Hakim (996 1021) as an incarnation of God
Manuscript (11th century) 14 x 14 cm depicting two warriors. Inscriptions read: Fame and riches to the Commander Abu Mansur

FORTS, GATES AND CITADELS

SQIFA AL-KAHLA, MAHDIYA (Black Entrance) (10TH CENTURY) Controlled entry to the royal city

The horseshoe arched entry led to vaulted gatehouse, protected by heavy iron doors
The two bastions contained stairways leading to the top of the tower

BAB AL-FUTUH (CAIRO) 11TH century: a more elaborately decorated gateway, with rounded flying buttresses, projected parapet (machicolations) above the arched doorway, radiating voussoirs of the arches and battlements

Bab An-Nasr 11th century Cairo: built using material from the ruins of Pharaonic temples in 1087-1092

MOSQUES

Great Mosque of alMahdiya, 916

Great Mosque of Mahdiya Inner court with colonnades of horseshoe arches

Gallery of the inner courtyard

Minaret of the the Great Mosque of qala Banu Hammad early 11th century

Al-Azhar Mosque, Cairo 972 Built by Jauhar after the conquest of Fustat, Al-Azhar became the centre of dawah and the most important universities of the Islamic World during Ottoman The dome and minaret were added in 1469 by the Mamluk Sultan Qaitbai

Al-Hakim Mosque, Cairo 990 - 1013

Five aisled prayer hall following traditional mosque prototype with wide central aisle: the courtyard which was badly dilapidated was turned into military barracks, sports ground and even the first Museum of Islamic Art.

The oldest surviving minaret of the Fatimids period amidst the renovations done concealing its original features

The arcade surrounding the courtyard

Al-Aqmar Mosque, Cairo 1125

Built in stone, with intricate stone carving detailings

The faade exhibit classical influence, with tripartite structure and portal design to the entrance Decorative elements: muqarnas, inscriptions, portal, niche, tympanum, horizontal and radiating ribs

Medallion in the tympanum of Aqmar Mosque, Cairo, 1125

TOMBS

GLASSWARE

Blue glass cup 9-11th c

Glass with lustre painting, 10th century

CERAMICS LUSTREWARE

WOOD CARVING
Outstanding for craftsmanship Characterised by central subject matter, often depicting human and animal figures, with interlaced tendrils surrounding pattern Known to have been executed in Coptic workshops
Inlaid panel 10th century; lacquered wood of wood, ivory and bone intarsia

Fragment from Fatimid western Palace, Cairo, 11th century 30 x 40 cm: subject matters of people dancing, hunting and music

Portable mihrab (1133) from Mausoleum Sayyida Ruqayya: carved with 6 pointed stars and surrounding inscriptions

Teak door panel, 11th century Depicting mirrored horses silhoutted against interlacing tendrils on geometric pattern base

IVORY CARVING
Left: Ivory Plaque 1112th century; Subject matter: wine drinking

Right: Carved ivory, Fustat