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The first study of its kind and containing a wealth of information for the student and scholar, this is a comprehensive account of the glittering and sensational practice of diplomacy in the Mamluk Sultanate

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Elaborate and sensational gifts were the hallmark of Mamluk diplomacy. From Cairo, where they controlled the medieval spice trade and the holy sites of Christianity and Islam, the Mamluk Sultans-conscious of their humble slave origins-augmented their claims to legitimacy through brilliant displays of diplomatic gift-giving, creating a celebrated reputation for the Sultanate from Europe to the Far East. From spices, ceremonial textiles, and military objects, to elephants and giraffes, and even humans-either living or as severed heads. The offerings varied in combination and emphasis according to the status and circumstances of giver and receiver, but always created a sensation. Through an unparalleled study of primary sources and rigorous fieldwork, this original book-richly illustrated in colour-explores the unpredictable and nuanced art of the regal gift in the Mamluk Sultanate from 1250-1517. Doris Behrens-Abouseif not only provides the first study of this subject, but makes an important contribution to the study of diplomacy, economics, visual arts, and material culture in the medieval period.

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List of Illustrations (with copyright credit)
Acknowledgement
Note to the Reader
Introduction

PART ONE: THE CULTURE OF GIFTS
I. The World of the Mamluks
II. Protocol and Codes of Gift Exchange
Diplomatic Hospitality and Safety
The Meaning of Diplomatic Gifts
Monetary Value of Gifts
Recycled, Used and Requested gifts

PART TWO: GIFTS IN GEO-POLITICAL CONTEXTS
III. The Red Sea and Indian Ocean Connection
Yemen
India
IV. Africa
Ethiopia
Nubia
The Maghrib
West Africa (Mali and Borno)
V) The Black Sea, Anatolia, Iran, Central Asia
The Golden Horde at the Black Sea
The Ilkhanids and the Jalayirids in Iran and Iraq
The Timurids in Central Asia
The Turkmens
Qara Qoyunlu
Aq Qoyunlu
Dhul Qadir
The Safavids
The Ottomans
VI Europe
Castile and Aragon
The Cyprus Connection
Venice
Florence

PART THREE: THE GIFTS
VII Tradition and Legacy
Traditional Diplomatic Gifts in the Middle-East and the Muslim World
The Fatimid and Ayyubid Legacies
VIII From and for the Mamluks
Gifts for the Mamluks
The Mamluk Assortment of Diplomatic Gifts
Spices and porcelain
Mamluks and Craftsmen
Giraffes, Elephants and other Animals
Balsam, Theriac and other Local Products
Religious Gifts
Textiles
Material Witnesses of Mamluk Diplomatic Textiles
The Knight´s Outfit
Material Witnesses of Mamluk Military and Equestrian Gifts
IX Gifts and Mamluk Identity
Export
Iconography of Mamluk Gifts
Conclusion
Index

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