Mantiq al-Tayr (Language of the Birds) 1575 - 1625

This is the cover of Mantiq al-Tayr, or “Language of the Birds,” by Farid al-Din `Attar. We don't know when exactly it was made, but the artistry involved speaks volumes. Look closely at the materials. Gold leaf shimmers against the deep tones of leather and paint. The process of creating such a cover was painstaking. Imagine the delicate application of gold, each tiny piece burnished to a gleam. The painted decoration, too, demanded precision and patience, layer upon layer building up the intricate design. Such a book was clearly a luxury item, a testament to the wealth and refined taste of its patron. It also speaks to the community of skilled artisans who made it, from the binder and leather worker to the illuminator. Considering it in this way, we can see that even something as seemingly simple as a book cover reflects a complex web of labor, materials, and cultural values. It’s a reminder that even the most beautiful objects are products of a particular social and economic world, which blurs any distinction between art and craft.