Mamluks

Arts, armor, decorative objects―a panoramic view of the visual culture that flourished under the Mamluk empire of the late medieval era

Published with Louvre Abu Dhabi and France Museums.

Brimming with voluptuous illustrations, this volume explores the political, cultural and artistic legacy of the Mamluk Sultanate, which ruled from Cairo over vast regions of the Islamic world between 1250 and 1517. Mamluks: Legacy of an Empire displays over 270 objects, including metalwork, manuscripts, textiles, ceramics, arms and architectural fragments―many of which hail from prestigious public and private collections. Through thematic essays and detailed object entries, the book reveals how the Mamluks, originally a military caste, developed a distinct visual and material culture, becoming powerful patrons of architecture, urbanism and the arts. It also highlights the Mamluks' global connections, evincing their links with China, Europe, sub-Saharan Africa and the Indian Ocean world. Bridging military history with artistic innovation, this volume traces how the Mamluks shaped not only their own territories but also the broader cultural and commercial networks of the late medieval era.