14th century illustrations of Mamluk rulers and their guards

[Druzhina]

Here are two 14th century illustrations of Mamluk rulers and their guards:
An Enthroned Arab Ruler or Judge and his Guards. The Kitab al-Hayawan. 14th century AD, Mamluk Egyptian. Ambrosian Library
Iskander as an Enthroned Arab Ruler and his Guards. The Kitab al-Hayawan of al-Jahiz.

The band around the helmets is reminiscent of some in the Cantigas de Santa Maria of Alfonso X, Spain, 13th century
The axe is a different type than that of a Mamluk Tabardar on the Baptistère de Saint Louis, 14th century, Louvre
The animal supporters are rare as most thrones in muslim illustrations of the period don't have supporters, many don't even have legs - e.g. illustrations from Maqamat of al-Hariri.
Examples with animal supporters are a Ruler on a throne supported by animals & his guards on a Ewer, Ayyubid Jazirah, 1246-1247, The Walters,
and a Ruler on a throne supported by animals & his guards on a silver bowl, from Iran or Afghanistan, 11th century, Hermitage, St. Petersburg.
The influence probably comes from Sasanian kings on thrones supported by animals on Persian and Central Asian plates

Mirror site:
An Enthroned Arab Ruler or Judge and his Guards. The Kitab al-Hayawan. 14th century AD, Mamluk Egyptian. Ambrosian Library

Druzhina
14th Century Illustrations of Costume & Soldiers

[Temüjin]

mmh, very interesting observation! though i think some of the depictions of this yellow/golden band are in fact metal rims of helmets, rather than soft bands made of textile wrapped around turbans/helmets.

[Druzhina]

Jan 10, 2017 19:55:10 GMT 3 Temüjin said:

mmh, very interesting observation! though i think some of the depictions of this yellow/golden band are in fact metal rims of helmets, rather than soft bands made of textile wrapped around turbans/helmets.

Yes, I had assumed some type of yellow metal. The illumination may be of gold, but, not the original helmets.

Druzhina
Illustrations of Costume & Soldiers

[Temüjin]

do you have the Osprey MAA 255 'Armies of the Muslim Conquest'? just checked because i remembered something. plate B 1 has an Ansar warrior. the descrption reads as follows:

This man wears a white felt qalansuwa hat over his helmet and the yellow turban often associated with ansars [sic]

this is the plate in question, but guardsmen in Osprey books often do have yellow turbans too:




on your second note: yes, those animal supporters are very interesting as well. i would also assume that they are the origin of supporters in European heraldry.

[Druzhina]

Jan 14, 2017 15:40:22 GMT 3 Temüjin said:

do you have the Osprey MAA 255 'Armies of the Muslim Conquest'? just checked because i remembered something. plate B 1 has an Ansar warrior. the descrption reads as follows:

This man wears a white felt qalansuwa hat over his helmet and the yellow turban often associated with ansars [sic]

this is the plate in question, but guardsmen in Osprey books often do have yellow turbans too:




on your second note: yes, those animal supporters are very interesting as well. i would also assume that they are the origin of supporters in European heraldry.

I don't have 'Armies of the Muslim Conquest'. Does it give the sources that B1 are based on?

Druzhina
Mamluk Illustrations of Costume & Soldiers

[Temüjin]

yes, as follows:

Main sources: written descriptions; Egyptian relief carvings 6-8th cent., inv. 3700, 7379 & 8001, Coptic Mus., Cairo; Umayyad coins of late 7th cent., various collections.

[Druzhina]

Thanks Baysongor,
I do have one image of Coptic Egyptian Carved Limestone Relief, 6th century, Coptic Museum, inv. 8001, Cairo, Egypt from The Great Islamic Conquests AD 632-750 by David Nicolle.

Druzhina
Coptic and Nubian Illustrations of Costume & Soldiers

[Druzhina]

An Umayyad Gold Dinar Coin of the Caliph 'Abd al-Malik, AD 685-705 is probably one referred to By David Nicolle.

Druzhina
Arab Illustrations of Costume & Soldiers