Islamic Art And Legends

Hello,


Islamic culture is richly represented on postage stamps through two distinct yet complementary themes: art and legend. On one hand, stamps showcase the refined aesthetics of Islamic art, geometric patterns, elegant calligraphy, and architectural masterpieces spanning centuries and regions. On the other, they illustrate the imaginative world of Islamic and Middle Eastern legends, including stories from One Thousand and One Nights. Together, these stamps offer a fascinating glimpse into both the visual heritage and the storytelling traditions of the Islamic world.

My own material is quite limited, as this is not a primary collecting area for me, and most items come from my broader collections, mainly folklore. I therefore hope that other members will post stamps and items from their collections, whether classic issues or modern releases such as Eid stamps from the USA, Canada, and other countries.

Islamic Miniature Paintings, issued by Mauritania on January 14, 1974:

Monarch of Mosul (Iraq) during musical party (detail), 1218-1219, frontispiece of Volume 17 from the book "Kitab al-Aghani (Book of Songs)" by Abu'l-Faraj al-Isfahani (897–967), a collection of songs by famous musicians and Arab poets.

A prince on the throne, Mamluk manuscript, Egypt, 1334, from Maqamat (Book of Congregations), by Abu Muhammed al Hariri (1054-1122), an Arab poet, scholar of the Arabic language and a high government official of the Seljuk Empire.

Caravan of Pilgrims travelling to Mecca, 1237, painting by Yahya ibn Mahmud al-Wasiti, a 13th-century Iraqi-Arab painter and calligrapher (noted for his illustrations of al-Hariri's Maqamat), from Maqamat (Book of Congregations), by Abu Muhammed al Hariri (1054-1122).

Algerian Costumes and Traditional Musical Instruments on Miniature Paintings (first issue) by Mohammed Racim (1896–1975), an Algerian artist who was the founder of the Algerian school of miniature paintings that still exists today, issued by Algeria on December 25, 1965.

Second part of the above Algerian miniature paintings set was issued on December 17, 1966.

A very attractive and colorful set of airmail stamps shows Arabian tales was designed by Pierrette Lambert and issued by Mali on April 5, 1971.

- Thousand night and night
- Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves
- Aladdin and the Magic Lamp

Islamic Art , issued by the Kingdom of Yemen on August 25, 1967.

Bayad Sins plays the Oud to the Ladies, from the Arabic tale Bayad and Riyad.

Pedanius Dioscorides, a Greek physician, pharmacologist and botanist, and a student, Folio from an Arabic manuscript of Dioscorides, De Materia Medica, 1229.

The Pharmacy, from the Materia Medica of Pedanius Dioscorides, Baghdad.

The Scribe.

Abu Zayd asks to be taken over a boat.

Arabian Folklore: Tales from the Arabian Nights, issued by the Palestinian Authority on August 18, 2001.

- Aladdin and the Magic Lamp
- The Snake and the Crows
- The Black Stallion
- Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves

Moorish art in Spain, issued by the Mutawakelite Kingdom of Yemen in 1967.

Note: Although the set is entitled "Moorish Art in Spain" several of the stamps actually depict medieval Iberian manuscript-style miniatures, many resembling illustrations from Christian chronicles and romances associated with medieval Spain (such as the Cantigas de Santa María and the Libro de los Juegos of Alfonso X).

Arabian tales, issued by Syria on November 5, 1980.

Thousand Nights and Night: Shahrazad and Shahrayar.

Sinbad's Adventures.

Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves.

Hassan the Clever.

Alladin and the Magic Lamp.

Islamic miniatures and paintings, a set of seven stamps issued by Ras Al Khaima in 1970. Here are the first four of them.

Solon and His Students (XIII. Cent.)

A Monarch and His Attendants (XII. Cent.)

Al-Harith Speaks to Abu Zayd (XIV. Cent.)

Monarch on His Throne (XIII. Cent.)

Here are the rest three 1970 Ras Al Khaima stamps.

Herons (XIV. Cent.)

The Archangel (XIV. Cent.)

Two Horsemen (XIII. Cent.)

Arabian Folklore: Tales from the Arabian Nights

A set of nine stamps shows different old Arabian myths and legends from Arabian Nights was issued by Hungary on December 15, 1965. Stamps were designed by Zombory Eva. Here is the first part of them.

- The Black Stallion.

- Harun Al-Rashid.

- The Flying Carpet.

- Sinbad's Second Voyage.

FDC with the above four stamps, sent registered to Israel. Transit postmark and arrival postmark on the back.

Here is the second part of Arabian Folklore: Tales from the Arabian Nights of 1965 Hungary set.

- Shahriar and Scheherezade.

- Sinbad's Fifth Voyage.

- Alladin and the Magic Lamp.

- The Fisherman and the Jinni.

- Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves.

Nasreddin Hodja (also known as Nasreddin, Mulla Nasruddin, or Juha in some traditions) is a beloved folk character from Islamic and Middle Eastern folklore, famous for his wit, humor, and wisdom. Often portrayed riding his donkey backwards or giving clever answers to difficult questions, Nasreddin stories combine comedy with moral lessons and philosophical insight. His tales have been told for centuries across Turkey, Persia, the Arab world, Central Asia, and beyond, making him one of the most enduring and widely recognized figures in traditional folklore.

"The Liver and the Kite", Nasreddin tale, issued by Turkey on July 5, 1976.

Arabian Folktales, designed by D. Vangelli, printed in Italy and issued by Somalia on December 24, 1997. I have no information about the stamps and which tale each one shows. They are clearly inspired by stories from One Thousand and One Nights (Arabian Nights). They probably show:

- Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp
- The Ebony Horse
- Sinbad the Sailor (the Roc episode)
- Prince Ahmed and the Fairy Pari-Banu (or another magical palace tale)