Product Description

A beautifully illustrated introduction to the design, symbolism, and creation of an Islamic garden, featuring 200 color photos.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #494842 in Books
• Published on: 2004-11-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 208 pages

From Booklist
Symbolism is an integral element of Islamic gardens, together with elements of water and shade. Clark explicates these underlying principles within the concept of "four-fold," or chahar-bagh, the foundation on which Islamic gardens are arranged and constructed. For designers intent upon creating such a garden, or readers wishing to delve into the history of masterpieces like the Alhambra in Spain, Clark presents a fascinating and comprehensive overview. She also provides a good deal of information on plantings not in the traditional Islamic landscape but rather in northern climates with cold winters. Islam's appreciation of nature's beauty coexists with the notion of embracing a garden setting for purposes of reflection, and Clark's study sheds light on the links between paradise gardens and the Qur'an. Interestingly, Clark devotes a chapter to the Carpet Garden at Highgrove, Prince Charles' house in the English countryside, where a bold fountain, decorative mosaic work, and orderly layout of flowerbeds and pathways illustrate the influence and effects of Islamic garden design. Alice Joyce
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Review
“Clark presents a fascinating and comprehensive overview.” -- Booklist

From the Publisher
The Islamic garden is regarded as one of the highest forms of visual art in the civilization of Islam. The principal elements are water and shade; they are also characterized by the chahar–bagh: a four–fold pattern, constructed around a central pool or fountain, with four streams flowing toward the four corners of the earth. Aesthetically, this design provides a striking feature in itself; however, a true appreciation of an Islamic garden is only ever complete with an understanding of the spiritual symbolism manifested in its design and planting. This lavish book provides both an intellectual guide to the symbolism of the Islamic garden and a practical guide to its component parts, with recommendations for suitable trees, shrubs, and flowers and advice on creating an Islamic garden in cooler climates. Garden designer Emma Clark teaches Visual Islamic and Traditional Arts at The Prince’s Foundation, London.

Customer Reviews

Art and Soul of the Islamic Garden
I have been waiting for this book for several months; now that I have it in hand, it exceeds my expectations. It is visually AND intellectually stimulating. I have a particular interest in the symbolism of the Islamic garden and Clark not only gives an in depth description of this, but also puts it in context--historic and contemporary. This is also an excellent guide through the component parts of the garden. The chapter on The Prince of Wales' Carpet Garden is fascinating.
As Islamic gardens play such an important role in the history of garden design, this gem should be in every designer's book collection.