Tombs of Paradise

The necropolis of Shah-e Zende at Samarkand represents a summit in the art of ceramic wall coverings in the Islamic world. Despite the recent increase of interest in this region, this is the first study to describe these monuments and their decoration, its techniques and motifs, as well as the different types of ceramics used and their composition.
As Shah-e Zende offers a microcosm of the technical evolution of ceramic arts in Central Asia between the twelfth and fifteenth centuries, this work examines the individual monuments whose decoration represents steps along that ancient road. It is a study of cultural heritage, and at the same time a reference work for admirers of Islamic architecture and ceramics.