Islamic art is the supreme triumph of pattern and colour, qualities which the west has historically underrated, and which make a direct appeal that is impossible to resist. ‘Both historical and geographical stages are charted by an ingenious choice of examples in almost every medium. The result is an admirable survey’ (The Times Literary Supplement) 

Introduction to the subject. Tends to concentrate on architecture. Very wide-ranging from the early Islamic period up to the early eighteenth century and from Persia in the east to Islamic North Africa in the west. Each chapter covers an area over a specific time period (Persia in the Mongol period for instance). Basic bibliography.