{"product_id":"practising-diplomacy-in-the-mamluk-sultanate-gifts-and-material-culture-in-the-medieval-islamic-world","title":"Practising Diplomacy in the Mamluk Sultanate","description":"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.","brand":"Bloomsbury Publishing PLC","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":32190438113363,"sku":"9781784537036","price":34.99,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0278\/1295\/4195\/files\/9781784537036.jpg?v=1778677224","url":"https:\/\/agendabookshop.com\/products\/practising-diplomacy-in-the-mamluk-sultanate-gifts-and-material-culture-in-the-medieval-islamic-world","provider":"Agenda Bookshop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}