| Original Message: Convenience |
|---|
|
Dear PK, The question and problem(s) associated with characterizing beads by time periods has been discussed here a number of times. My opinion is only my opinion. Not everyone agrees. It is a matter of convenience that certain groups of beads are described through association with big and significant time periods. For instance, Mediterranean beads from ca. 500 BCE (+ or -) are routinely called "Phoenician" beads. Those dating from the turn of the millennium are called "Roman" beads. Those from ca. a thousand years later are "Islamic Period" beads. But these names are misleading, and subject to misuse and/or misinterpretation. For instance, many "Phoenician" beads were not made by the Canaanites of the Eastern Mediterranean, but rather were acquired by them from Egypt, and sold all around the region. The Canaanites are now called "Phoenicians"—and whatever beads they made and/or sold are ALL called "Phoenician beads." The Romans were not involved very much in hands-on glass-beadmaking. They didn't care much about glass as a material, except as it provided them with products to sell to folks they probably thought of as "barbarians." What they did was to place glassmakers and glassworkers in areas where they demanded products be manufactured. And thus they tended to spread the knowledge of glass into areas where it was formerly unknown. But "Roman" glass is a convenience that allows a seller to garner a higher profit than if the beads in question were called "Taxila" or "Syrian" beads (or whatever). The name is practically meaningless, EXCEPT as a general time designation, and as long as it is understood that the work was not (usually) pursued by actual Romans. In the post-Roman Era, glassmaking and working continued to be pursued in the regions where it was first developed and perfected. That is, the Middle East. Because of the importance placed upon the "Romans" as bringers of culture (an accomplishment that is dubious—because what they did was to continue to spread their version of Greek culture), it is VERY common to see art and artifacts represented as "Roman" that really post-date the Roman Empire. And, in fact, these products would have been made whether the Romans had ever exploited these folks or not. The Middle East is the HOME of glassmaking and glass-beadmaking (and the Romans are given much too much credit for it). Prior to the 1980s, it was very common for beads that date from after CE 500 to be called "Roman" beads. This is basically a mistake because this is AFTER the Roman Empire, and for the reasons I have just mentioned. In the 7th century, Middle Eastern society and politics were profoundly influenced by the founding of the Islamic religion. Glass beads from this time (and slightly earlier, and up to ca. CE 1400) are conveniently called "Islamic Period beads." Again, it refers to a general trend, that took place at that general time. Beads did not profoundly change because of Mohammed. But the beads made in his time, and thereafter are NOT "Roman" beads. I have promoted the general name "Islamic Period beads" to encompass post-Roman Period beadmaking for just over twenty years. Fortunately, many authors have now written about 'glass of the Islamic Period,' similar to my example. That is convenient too. I consider the "Islamic Period" of antiquity to have ended, in the context of glass, at the year 1400—for two practical reasons: 1) Tamerlane came along and destroyed Damascus and Aleppo (the primary glass centers of the Eastern Mediterranean); and 2) glassmaking at Venice became internationally celebrated, and moved into this Middle Eastern marketplace. In my opinion, this marks the dividing line between ancient and modern glassmaking. It is true that glassmaking at Egypt (at Fustat) persisted for a while longer; and it is true that in modern times glass-beadmaking has been taken up again by Middle Easterners (at Turkey, Palestine, and Egypt—and even at Bukhara in Central Asia). But although these glassmakers are Islamic, these are essentially modern industries. That these folks would insist that they are still participating "in the Islamic Period" will not be argued by me—except to make the points I have just made above. So, you see, it's all a matter of convenience. Saying "Islamic Period" is short-hand for saying "about a thousand years ago." Saying "Roman Period" is short-hand for saying "about two thousand years ago. Saying "Phoenician Period" refers to "about two-thousand five hundred years ago." "Modern glass" means "since CE 1400." I hope this helps. Jamey All rights reserved by Bead Collector Network and its users |
|
|