The Middle East in Islamic late antiquity

Islamic Glass in the Making

“…It is not clear to what extent the technological changes and recipes of glassmaking were linked causally or merely incidentally to the complete transformation of the early Islamic social orders and state bureaucracy. The early Islamic state had inherited from the Roman and Sasanian Empires the sophisticated fiscal system of public taxation which ensured economic prosperity and stability (Kennedy 2015). This system of public taxation effectively collapsed in the first half of the tenth century CE, an event which had a profound impact on the political and social orders (Kennedy 2010).…”

“…In Mesopotamia plant ash glassmaking was rooted in and continued an ancient technology that included the exploitation of distinct raw materials, a specific type of plant ash and its processing, as well as unique colouring and opacifying techniques. The survival of Sasanian glassmaking traditions may be linked to the general adoption and preservation of old Persian administrative structures and fiscal systems, and the continued existence of the old Persian elite as part of the internal power structures (Kennedy 2009;Kennedy 2015). The locally ruled semi-independent principalities in Iran and further east had considerable financial autonomy and may have fostered regional industries, including glassmaking, which resulted in a multitude of mostly high magnesia plant ash glass types.…”