"The search for meaning in Islamic art is of enduring interest. This book explores the iconography of Islamic art and presents a diverse range of approaches." "Despite this variety, there is an overarching theme - the linking of the interpretation of objects to textual sources. This results in a collection of in-depth studies of motifs as diverse as the peacock, trees, and the figure holding a cup and branch. In addition, new interpretations are presented of other objects, such as an Abuyyid metal basin or Mongol paintings.".

"Professor Robert Hillenbrand's writings on Islamic art and architecture cover a wide range, from the seventh to the nineteenth centuries, and from Spain to India. The multiplicity of approaches to the search for meaning in Islamic art, as presented in this volume, mirrors the broad range of his scholarship."--BOOK JACKET.