The Development of Islamic Art from The Umayyad Period Until The Early Phase of Malaysian Islamic Art

Islamic art in the world includes various fields and specialties. The value of Islamic art that is so subtle and has the concept of Tauhid is a conciliatory art. It can be divided according to religious importance and other functions such as architecture, carving, khat- calligraphy, painting, ceramics, gold, silver, jewelries and others. However, the development of Islamic art has received less attention because the journey of Islamic art has several periods and transitions of governments and empires. The purpose of this study is to summarize the journey and development of Islamic art so that it becomes a simple and compact reference for the audience. It is very important to conclude only the importance of it since there is a lot information has been recorded. This study covers the development of Islamic art starting from the Umayyad period, then the Abbasid, Fatimid, Seljuk, Mamluk, Safavid and then to Malaysia. Some examples of popular and elegant art of the time are also listed. This article examines, maps specific aspects of the development of Islamic art up to the nineteenth century. This study used a descriptive methodology whereby a few variables artwork includes: architecture, jewelries, coinage as well as the potteries. With regard to time, descriptive studies may examine Islamic art in these period. Based on the analysis of historical records founded and a compilations of contents, there was a gradual transformation in some of these works of art that took place around the period beginning with the Umayyads. The finding show that through the examination of some early collections, one can trace the origins and development of Islamic art that changed but still maintained the same concept of Tauhid. Although the focus of this article is the study of the development of the diversity of Islamic art, therefore it can be seen that each work produced has some similarities and consistency. Further research in more details about each period, the aesthetical value and interpretation of it is proposed.