Tombs of Paradise

The Shah-e Zende in Samarkand and Architectural Ceramics of Central Asia

The necropolis of Shah-e Zende represents a summit in the art of ceramic wall coverings in the Islamic world. Perched on a steep cliff overlooking the ancient city of Samarkand, today the ghost town of Afrasiyab, the necropolis remains largely unknown to art historians and the general public. As Shah-e Zende offers a microcosm of the technical evolution of ceramic arts in Central Asia between the 12th and 15th centuries, this work examines the individual monuments whose decoration represents steps along that road. It is a study of cultural heritage, and at the same time a reference work for admirers of Islamic architecture and ceramics.

[Source : 4ème de couverture]