China, chinoiserie and Painting in Turkestan under the Timurids

Mehmet Siyah Kalem (or Mehmed Siyah Qalam) School

The Chinese dynasties had a dominant effect on Mongol and East Turkestan painting. The effect was brought to Western Asia by Mongols and Persians. During the time of Timur, the relations between Turcomans and the Ming Court were concrete. Under Shah Rukh relations with China became more cordial, however the Ming returned to neo Confucian practice and the traditional tributary relations and the gift exchange with the hope of making a good Muslim out of Ming stopped. In any case, the overland trade between China and Central Asia stayed steady. The effects of the Chinese and Central Asian artistic style became dominant in early 1400s. The miniatures depicted in this page are attributed to Mehmed Siyah Qalem and other Siyah Qalem (or Mohammad Siyah Kalem) school painters.

Nomad Camp
Siyah Qalem drawing.
From the Sarai Albums.
Turkestan, beginning of 15th century.
Hazine 2153, folio 8b

Conversation Scene
Siyah Qalem drawing.
From the Sarai Albums.
Turkestan, beginning of 15th century.
Hazine 2153, folio 90a

Dancing Demons
Siyah Qalem drawing.
From the Sarai Albums.
Turkestan, beginning of 15th century.
Hazine 2153, folio 64a

Two Seated Demons
Mehmed Siyah Qalem.
From the Sarai Albums.
Turkestan, beginning of 15th century.
Hazine 2153, folio 34b

Bound Demons
Mehmed Siyah Qalem.
From the Sarai Albums.
Turkestan, beginning of 15th century.
Hazine 2153, folio 31b

Hunters riding
Siyah Qalem school.
From the Sarai Albums.
Herat (?), end of 15th century.
Hazine 2160, folio 84a

Warrior and his Horse
Siyah Qalem school.
From the Sarai Albums.
Herat (?), end of 15th century.
Hazine 2160, folio 86b

Combat between two fabulous Creatures
Siyah Qalem school.
From the Sarai Albums.
Persia, end of 15th century.
Hazine 2153, folio 170b

Animal Studies
Siyah Qalem school.
From the Sarai Albums.
Persia, end of 15th century.
Hazine 2153, folio 19b

Lion and Bull about to engage in Combat
Siyah Qalem school. (or Siyah Kalem)
From the Sarai Albums.
Persia, end of 15th century.
Hazine 2160, folio 90b

Cat
Siyah Qalem school.(or Siyah Kalem)
From the Sarai Albums.
15th century.
Hazine 2160, folio 55b
This is one of the best cat pictures that I have ever seen

Two Daoist Immortals
Mehmed Siyah Qalem.
From the Sarai Albums.
15th century.
Hazine 2160, folio 36b

	Nomad Camp Siyah Qalem drawing. From the Sarai Albums. Turkestan, beginning of 15th century. Hazine 2153, folio 8b
	Conversation Scene Siyah Qalem drawing. From the Sarai Albums. Turkestan, beginning of 15th century. Hazine 2153, folio 90a
	Dancing Demons Siyah Qalem drawing. From the Sarai Albums. Turkestan, beginning of 15th century. Hazine 2153, folio 64a
	Two Seated Demons Mehmed Siyah Qalem. From the Sarai Albums. Turkestan, beginning of 15th century. Hazine 2153, folio 34b
	Bound Demons Mehmed Siyah Qalem. From the Sarai Albums. Turkestan, beginning of 15th century. Hazine 2153, folio 31b
	Hunters riding Siyah Qalem school. From the Sarai Albums. Herat (?), end of 15th century. Hazine 2160, folio 84a
	Warrior and his Horse Siyah Qalem school. From the Sarai Albums. Herat (?), end of 15th century. Hazine 2160, folio 86b
	Combat between two fabulous Creatures Siyah Qalem school. From the Sarai Albums. Persia, end of 15th century. Hazine 2153, folio 170b
	Animal Studies Siyah Qalem school. From the Sarai Albums. Persia, end of 15th century. Hazine 2153, folio 19b
	Lion and Bull about to engage in Combat Siyah Qalem school. (or Siyah Kalem) From the Sarai Albums. Persia, end of 15th century. Hazine 2160, folio 90b
	Cat Siyah Qalem school.(or Siyah Kalem) From the Sarai Albums. 15th century. Hazine 2160, folio 55b This is one of the best cat pictures that I have ever seen
	Two Daoist Immortals Mehmed Siyah Qalem. From the Sarai Albums. 15th century. Hazine 2160, folio 36b