Tales Things Tell: Material Histories of Early Globalisms

Tales Things Tell offers new perspectives on early globalisms from objects and images, demonstrating the value of mobile artifacts and images in reconstructing the past. It presents six case studies from the sixth to the thirteenth centuries, ranging from metalwork to stone reliefs, manuscript paintings, and objects using natural materials.

Format: Hardback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 21 November 2023
Publisher: Princeton University Press

Tales Things Tell offers fresh insights into the histories of connectivity between Africa, Asia, and Europe in the era preceding the Mongol conquests of the thirteenth century. These histories, reflected in objects and materials whose circulation and reception shaped aesthetic, economic, and technological networks that transcended established political and sectarian boundaries, are not commonly documented in the written sources that historians typically rely upon.

Tales Things Tell pioneers innovative approaches in art history, compellingly arguing for the archival significance of mobile artifacts and images in reconstructing the past. In this visually captivating book, Finbarr Barry Flood and Beate Fricke present six compelling case studies spanning from the sixth to the thirteenth centuries, showcasing how portable objects facilitated the movement of concepts, iconographies, and techniques. The case studies encompass a diverse range of artifacts, including metalwork, stone reliefs, manuscript paintings, and objects made from natural materials such as coconut and rock crystal. Whether acquired as spoils, commodities, gifts, or souvenirs, many of the objects discussed in Tales Things Tell played a vital role in imparting aesthetic, iconographic, or technical knowledge in the regions where they found their resting places.

By venturing beyond conventional narratives derived from written archival records, Tales Things Tell demonstrates the immense value of objects and images as records of early globalisms. It remaps the histories of exchange between medieval Islam and Christendom, extending from Europe to the Indian Ocean. Through these case studies, the book showcases the interconnectedness of various regions and the exchange of ideas, materials, and cultural practices that characterized the early globalized world.

In conclusion, Tales Things Tell offers a groundbreaking perspective on the histories of connectivity between Africa, Asia, and Europe in the period preceding the Mongol conquests. By examining the role of portable objects and materials, the book sheds light on the understudied aspects of early globalism and demonstrates the value of interdisciplinary approaches in reconstructing the past. This captivating book will be of interest to scholars, students, and enthusiasts alike who seek to explore the rich tapestry of medieval world history.

Weight: 1326g
Dimension: 211 x 280 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780691215150