Features of the Karakhanid craftsmanship

Sharifa Toshova

doi:10.32523/2664-5157-2024-1-79-93

Authors

Sharifa Toshova National Center of Archeology of Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32523/2664-5157-2024-1-79-93

Keywords:

Karakhanids, Turks, East Turkestan, Mawarannahr, art, crafts, artisan, pottery, ceramics, metals, jewelry, Turkic element.

Abstract

The establishment of Karakhanid rule in Mawarannahr (942-1212) led to the political unification of vast territories from East Turkestan to Khorezm. Political integrity, economic stability and intensive trade between the urban and steppe communities provided an environment conducive to developing local craftsmanship.
This article analyses the mutual influences and common features observed in the craftsmanship of the settled population and nomads in Mawarannahr under the Karakhanids. It demonstrates preservation of the ‘Turkic motifs’ in the new cultural environment. Although the vast territory of the Karakhanid state from Jetisu to Amu-Darya preserved local cultural peculiarities, the formation of universal cultural forms was conspicuous. This article demonstrates the innovations and transformation processes of the Karakhanid era’s craftsmanship, focusing on metal and ceramic products, as well as jewelry. During this period, unglazed pottery of an archaic type, similar to Bronze Age vessels, was widely used, along with fine pottery. These handmade vessels are painted with gray or red engobe. In addition to traditional
products of high quality, there are also metal vessels and female jewelry decorated with zoomorphic images. However the presence of these products does not necessarily indicate a decline in the overall quality of craftsmanship in the region.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biography

Sharifa Toshova , National Center of Archeology of Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan

PhD

Reference

Anarboev A., 2019. Axsikent-ochiq osmon ostidagi muzey. [Aksikent-open-air museum]. Vodiynoma. No3 (14). P. 45-49. [in Uzbek].

Buryakov Yu.F., Sadiev M., Fedorov M.N., 1975. Sobornaya meчet Samarkanda v XI – naчale XIII vv [The cathedral mosque in Samarkand in the XI – late XIII centuries]. Afrasiab. Vol. 4. Tashkent. P. 77-99. [in Russian].

Buryakov Yu.F., Tashxodjaev Sh.S., 1975. Istoricheskaya topografiya Samarkanda XI -nachala XIII vv. [Historical topography of Samarkand XI early XII]. Afrasiab. Vol. 4. Tashkent: Fan.143 p. [in Russian].

Gyul E. Iskusstvo epoxi Karaxanidov [Art of the Kharahanid era]. https://www.academia.edu/15094270. [in Russian].

Zadneprovskiy N.A., 1968. Srednevekovaya raspisnaya keramika [Medieval painted pottery]. Kratkie soobsheniya Instituta istorii materialnoy kultury [Brief communications from the Institute of the History of Material Culture], 120. Moscow-Leningrad: Nauka. P. 39-41. [in Russian].

Ilyasov Dj., Khakimov A., 2012. Uzbekistan. Xudojestvennaya kul’tura Sentral’noy Azii i Azerbaydjana IX-XV vv. [Artistic culture of Central Asia and Azerbaijan IX–XV centuries]. Tom III. Torevtika. Samarkand-Tashkent: MISAI. P. 216 -265. [in Russian].

Ilyasova S.R., Ilyasov Dj. Ya., Imamberdiev R.A., Isxakova Е.A., 2016. “Net blaga v bogatstve...” Glazurovannaya keramika Tashkentskogo oazisa IX – XII vekov. [There is no good in wealth...” Glazed ceramics of the Tashkent oasis of the IX–XII centuries. Moscow: Fond Mardjani. 595 p. [in Russian].

Imankulov D.D., Konkobaev K., 2014. Arxitektura Turkestana epoxi Karaxanidov: istoriko teoretiчeskoe issledovanie [Arxitecture of Turkestan during the Karakhanid эra: historical and theoretical study]. Ankara: Soyuz inzhenerov i arxeologov tyurskogo mira. 347 p. [in Russian].

Kamishev A., 2012. Kirgizistan. Xudojestvennaya kul’tura Sentral’noy Azii i Azerbaydjana IX-XV vv. [Artistic culture of Central Asia and Azerbaijan IX-XV centuries]. Vol.III. Toreutics. Samarkand-Tashkent: MISAI. P. 97-122. [in Russian].

Karaev O.K., 1983. Istoriya Karaxanidskogo kaganata (X – nachalo XII vv.) [History of the Karakhanid Kaganate (X – beginning of XII)]. Frunze: Ilim. 300 p. [in Russian].

Koshg‘ariy Mahmud, 1963. Devoni lug‘otit turk. [The dictionary is Turkish.]. Vol. II. Translator and publisher S.M. Mutalibov.Toshken: Fan. 427 p. [in Uzbek].

Marshak B.I., 1972. Sogdiyskoe serebro. Ocherki po istorii vostochnoy torevtiki. [Sogdian silver. Essays on the history of Eastern toreutics]. Moscow: Nauka. 191 p. [in Russian].

Mirzaaxmedov D. K., 2013. K sotsialno-ekonomicheskim faktoram razvitiya glazurovannoy keramiki Maverannaxra IX – nachala XIII v. [On the socio-economic factors in the development of glazed ceramics from Mawarannahr in the 9th century – the beginning of the 13rd century]. Sogdiysy, ix predshestvenniki, sovremenniki i nasledniki: na osnove materialov konferensii “Sogdiysy doma i na чujbine”. SPb.: GE. P. 353-375 (Tr. GE; T. 62). [in Russian].

Omonov Sh., 2019. “Soxta Tripole” sopollari tarixiga doir [About Ceramics by named “Psevdo Tripol Culture” of Central Asia]. O’tmishga nazar. [Look to The Past]. No25. Toshkent, P. 26-28. [in Uzbek].

Sverchkov L.M., 1991. Poselenie Mik – istochnik po srednevekovoy istorii Ustrushani [Settlement Myk – a source on the medieval history of Ustrushan]. Avtoref. diss. kand. ist. nauk. [Autor’s abstract diss. Ph.D.]. Samarkand. 25 p. [in Russian].

Tashxodjaev Sh.S., 1967. Khudojestvennaya polivnaya keramika Samarkanda IX– nach. XIII vv. [Artistic glazed ceramics of Samarkand IX – beginning. 13th century the vessels]. Tashkent: Fan. 153 p. [in Russian].

Terenozhkin А.I., 1951. Raskopki na gorodishe Аfrasiab. [Excavations at the site of Afrasiab]. Kratkie soobsheniya Instituta istorii materialnoy kultury [Brief communications from the Institute of the History of Material Culture], XXXVI. Moscow-Leningrad: Nauka. P. 136-140. [in Russian].

Hakimov А., 2019. Iskusstvo i remesla tyurkskix narodov Sentralnoy Аzii v kontekste istoricheskoe vzaimodeystviya osedlo zemelcheskix i nomadicheskix kultur [Art and crafts of the Turkic peoples of Central Asia in the context of historical interaction between settled land and nomadic cultures]. Sentralnaya Аzii v srednevekovya i novogo vremeni [Central Azia in the Middle Ages and Modern Times]. D. Аlimova, F. Shvarts (ed). Tashkent-Vena: Аkademnashr. P. 326-332. [in Russian].

Hudud ul-olam (Movarounnahr tavsifi), 2008. Fors tilidan tarjima, so’zboshi va izohlar muallifi Omonullo Bo’riev [Hudud ul-Alam (description of Movarounnahr). The author of the translation from Persian, foreword and comments is Omonullo Boriev]. Toshkent: O’zbekiston. 64 p.[in Uzbek].

Shishkina G.V., 1975. Buxarskie vorota srednevekovogo Samarkanda [Bukhara Gate of medieval Samarkand]. Afrasiab. Vol. 4. Tashkent. P. 23-41. [in Russian].

Yusuf Khos Hajib, 1971. Qutadg‘u bilig (Saodatga eltuvchi bilim) [Knowledge that leads to happiness]. Toshkent: Fan. 964 p. [in Uzbek].

Anarbaev A., 2023. Akhsikent arxeological park. Tashkent: Fan. 374 р.

Hakimov A., 2006. The Art and Crafts of the Central Asian Turkic-Speaking Peoples. The Turkic-Speaking Peoples. Munich.

Ivanov A., 2020. Toreutics Of Mavarannahr. The Collection of The State Hermitage (Saint Petersburg, Russia) Part two Art of Mavarannahr in the 8tm – 15tm Centuries. Tashkent: Silk Road Media, East Star Media. P. 152-154.

Omelchenko A., 2020. Culture of Mavarannahr in the 9tm – 10tm Centuries. The Collection of The State Hermitaje (Saint Petersburg, Russia) Part two Art of Mavarannahr in the 8tm – 15tm Centuries. Tashkent: Silk Road Media, East Star Media. P. 92-97.

Torgoev A., 2020. Adornments. The Collection of the State Hermitaje (Saint Petersburg, Russia) Part two Art of Mavarannahr in the 8tm – 15tm Centuries. Tashkent: Silk Road Media, East Star Media. P. 171-173.