The Blue Mosque, the Ardabil Carpet, and the Taj Mahal all date to this important period.
c. 1517 - 1924 C.E.
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Timur’s entry into Samarkand, page from the Zafarnama
Timur's equestrian image would have been the most recognizable embodiment of his royal legacy in the Zafarnama.
The Ardashirnama: a Judeo-Persian manuscript
This illuminated manuscript of the Ardashirnama reveals how 17th-century Iranian Jews visually and poetically emphasized their identities as both Iranian and Jewish.
Shah Jahan’s portrait, emeralds, and the exotic at the Mughal court
Emeralds symbolized the exotic and the rare—the perfect emblem to encapsulate the wealth and aspirations of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan.
Ottoman prayer carpet with triple-arch design
This Muslim prayer carpet shares striking visual similarities to a Jewish carpet meant to cover the Torah ark
Mimar Sinan, Şehzade Mosque, Istanbul
Sinan, one of the most famous architects in the Ottoman Empire, draws inspiration from the Hagia Sophia and arguably surpasses it
Muradiye Mosque
The Muradiye Mosque's interior is covered with wall paintings and colorful tiles—like a museum of fifteenth-century Ottoman architectural decoration.
Topkapı Palace tiles
Magnificent blue-and-white tiles adorn this room in the Topkapı Palace, Istanbul.
Humayun’s tomb
This tomb, built in 1570, is of particular cultural significance as it was the first garden-tomb on the Indian subcontinent.
Exploring Color in Mughal Paintings
Curious about the vibrant colors in Mughal paintings? Learn about the art of imperial painting here.
Lacquer pen-case, signed by the artist Ashraf ibn Riza
This luxury pen-case is made from papier mâché with lacquer painting, a tradition inspired by Chinese lacquer.
Groom and Rider drawing
The precision of the line and the attention to texture allow this drawing to stand on its own as a finished work.
Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi
In this partly unfinished building, Persian master builders experimented with architectural and structural solutions later used in the construction of Samarkand, the capital of the Timurid Empire.
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