Influences of the Islamic Faith in the Ornament of the Metal Arts during the Ottoman era In the light of models preserved in the National Museum of Antiquities and Islamic Arts in Algiers

Abstract

This study seeks to demonstrate the influences of the Islamic faith in the Ornament of applied arts in the Ottoman era, through selected models of metal arts preserved in the National Museum of Antiquities and Islamic Arts in Algiers. This study relied on the descriptive approach that was employed in describing the Ornament executed on metal arts, and mixed it with the analytical method due to the decorative elements included in the selected models with ideological connotations that require analysis. The study concluded with a set of results, including that the Muslim artist’s compliance with his faith led him to decorate his artistic products with decorations deriving their meanings from this faith. Floral and geometric decorations had the largest share due to the connotations their elements represent related to the Islamic religion. The study also concluded that the lack of decorations Animalism in the studied arts stems from the Muslim artist’s avoidance of depicting living creatures due to the hatred of that in his religion, and if they are found among his decorations, they are limited to animals related to his faith