Good things, happy things, sleepy things and plans for this weekend

[annwfyn]

I went to see the Shah 'Abbas exhibition at the British Museum with becky_spence last night, and loved it.

One thing that particularly impressed me was the contextualisation - like most English people, I was kinda raised with the vague impression that the world did actually end at the edge of Europe in the 16th century. The Ottoman Empire sort of existed, but after that there was probably a giant waterfall coming off the edge of the world, until people started sailing to America. The Shah 'Abbas exhibition starts off with explaining where Shah Abbas was from (Iran, with an empire running into modern day Iraq as well as modern day Turkey) and when he reigned (mostly concurrently to Elizabeth I). It was strangely humbling to realize that whilst Francis Drake and Walter Raleigh were being dashing and adventurous, and whilst Elizabeth was devouring the heart and stomach of a king being possessed of masculine kingly attributes, there was this whole other sophisticated and advanced society growing and expanding, and to them, Europe were pretty much still howling Barbarians.

And Persia in this time period was, really, much more sophisiticated than Europe. The art, the calligraphy, the science, the craftsmanship...it was amazing. Women had a far greater role in this society - there were female calligraphers who's work was on display, which is quite humbling really and definitely challenges one's views on Islam and Islamic culture. I was also hugely amused by one letter, which was sent out from Shah Abbas, or one of his emissaries, addressed to the 'King of the Franks'. A small note beside it says that 'Franks' was actually a blanket term for Europeans, but this particular letter was probably addressed to the King of France. Considering how many people today lump 'Africa' into one single entity, or 'Asia' or even 'South America', it amuses me to realize that many years ago, the White Europeans were seen in exactly that light.

There was also some lovely Chinese porcelain there, which re-ignited my lust for blue and white chinese ceramics. I know that's a sad thing to love, but I really do. I want a classic willow pattern dinner service one day (even if I recently discovered that the willow pattern story is actually a European invention and not Chinese at all).

Anyway, the Shah 'Abbas exhibition. Really lovely, and it was very nice to see Becky as well. Apologies to those back home who I collapsed unconscious on as soon as I got back to Goblintown. I am weak.

Tonight, I shall have to aim to be stronger, for I need to scramble out of work, and then make a mad run to Essex for my sister's wedding. I'll be mostly wrapped up with that for the weekend, and won't be free again until Sunday.

Comments

[wildrogue.livejournal.com]

Should you get the chance you should read Hakluyt's travel diaries http://ebooks.adelaide.edu.au/h/hakluyt/voyages/v03/

This bit is all about the Muscovy company (see why I thought of you?).

I've been doing a module on C16th Travel Literature and European reactions to the East are incredibly interesting. Until right up to C18th we basically considered China and the Ottoman empire to be far more sophisticated than we were. There was actually a massive trade problem in that Europe wanted Chinese/Russian/Turkish goods but they didn't want anything of ours so we had to pay in cash. It left real dents in European gold reserves - which is part of the reason the Spanish ripped so much gold out of the Americas.

[badgersandjam.livejournal.com]

First off, I hope the wedding goes well for all involved!

Secondly, I did a lot of Near Eastern Studies as an undergrad--wound up with a minor in it. What was really an eye-opener for me was the following statistic: at the turn of the millennium (into the 1000s for the hundreds), Paris had 10,000 people. London had 20,000 (I think I've got London and Paris the right way around). Baghdad had half a million.


Shortly after learning that, I went to Pennsic, a camping event the SCA hold everty year. There were 10,000 people there. I walked through the merchants' section thinking that this single event was as large as Paris at the turn of the millennium. That was mind-boggling.

[badgersandjam.livejournal.com]

Hakluyt's good fun, if a bibliographical nightmare (she said, feelingly). I was always intrigued by Eliz. I arranging to trade in Constantinople, too--but not letting them trade in England.

[annwfyn.livejournal.com]

Until right up to C18th we basically considered China and the Ottoman empire to be far more sophisticated than we were.

It sounds pretty accurate to me, having seen the textiles and the calligraphy, not to mention the far greater diversity of the population and the input of women - I mean - I have never knowingly seen any art by a woman in the 16th century in England.

It's interesting, really, how things shift and change through history, isn't it?

[becky-spence.livejournal.com]

It was very lovely to see you (and travel back to Goblintown and hassle Jez and Ginnie) too! We should do this more often :)

[davywavy.livejournal.com]

Have you never been to Hampton Court palace? All the tapestry work there would have been done by women.

[annwfyn.livejournal.com]

Definitely! I will happily spend more time at the BM.

[annwfyn.livejournal.com]

First of all, I've not been, but I should be.

Secondly, are those women named anywhere? I suppose part of what I meant by 'I've never knowingly seen work by a woman artist' is that it struck me that the female calligraphers in the Shah Abbas exhibition were named and seem to have gained respect and recognition under those names, which I don't think was often the case for female artists/craftswomen in Europe in that period.

[davywavy.livejournal.com]

And anyway, everyone knows that Mary Sideny really wrote Shakespeare :p