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Niẓām al-Dīn Yaḥyā al-Ṭayyārī – An Artist in the Court of the Ilkhans and Mamluks

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Published/Copyright: February 1, 2018
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Abstract

Reading through the sources written in the Mamluk Sultanate (1250–1517), one receives the impression that the political borders between the Mamluk and Ilkhanid realms were just that – in no ways cultural or even serious physical barriers. This paper will demonstrate this by focusing on the biography of Niẓām al-Dīn Yaḥyā al-Ṭayyārī (685–760/1286/7–1358/9~). His father served under the Ilkhans as a physician and scribe, while Niẓām al-Dīn grew up into the Ilkhanid elite and became a prolific calligrapher, scribe and musician in his own right, being especially close to the Sultan Abū Sa‘īd and his vizier, Ghiyāth al-Dīn Muḥammad. After the death of Abū Sa‘īd and the subsequent disintegration of the Ilkhanate, Niẓām al-Dīn made his way to the Mamluk Sultanate, where his artistic talents were very much appreciated, representing the glorious artistic tradition of the east. Despite his seemingly smooth reception in the ruling circles of the Mamluk Sultanate, Niẓām al-Dīn seems to have remained attached to his homeland, and to the lavish properties which he left behind him. He subsequently returned to Baghdad, where he was immediately reinstated to his former duties. Following and analyzing the career of Niẓām al-Dīn can grant insights into court culture of the Muslim world of his age, where similarities in taste and bureaucratic traditions probably outweighed the differences. We also learn about mobility, cultural exchange and artistic sensibilities between the two competing courts.

Funding statement: European Research Council, (ERC grant Agreement n. 312397: ‘European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP/2007–13)).

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank Prof. Michal Biran for her guidance throughout the writing of this article. Special thanks go to Geoffrey Humble for his kind help with editing, which greatly improved the final outcome. I also like to thank Daniel Zakrzewsky, Yoni Brack, and Yoichi Isahaya for valuable comments and help with Persian sources.

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Published Online: 2018-2-1
Published in Print: 2018-2-23

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