Mamluk Enamelled Glassware

Timeline

1. 1250–1280Cairo · CairoIn the early Mamluk period, workshops in Cairo and Damascus inherited Ayyubid and earlier Islamic glass traditions, developing production of lamps and vessels characterized by enamel painting and gilding.
2. 1280–1320Syria · SyriaSultans and religious endowments ordered mosque lamps in large numbers, with inscriptions often bearing the sultan's name, the craftsman's name, and the date of manufacture; enamelled glass became an important part of religious ritual in Mamluk architecture and was exported widely across the Mediterranean world.
3. 1320–1350Egypt · EgyptAfter the mid-14th century, output of high-quality enamelled glass dropped sharply, possibly related to plague, economic fluctuations, and rising production costs; surviving fine pieces became important specimens for later museums and Islamic art scholarship.