<P> Many techniques were employed in the manufacture of objects . Ivory was used extensively for the manufacture of boxes and caskets . The pyxis of al - Mughira is a masterwork of the genre . In metalwork, large sculptures in the round, normally rather scarce in the Islamic world, served as elaborate receptacles for water or as fountain spouts . A great number of textiles, most notably silks, were exported: many are found in the church treasuries of Christendom, where they served as covering for saints' reliquaries . From the periods of Maghrebi rule one may also note a taste for painted and sculpted woodwork . </P> <P> The art of north Africa is not as well studied . The Almoravid and Almohad dynasties are characterized by a tendency toward austerity, for example in mosques with bare walls . Nevertheless, luxury arts continued to be produced in great quantity . The Marinid and Hafsid dynasties developed an important, but poorly understood, architecture, and a significant amount of painted and sculpted woodwork . </P> <P> The Fatimid dynasty, which reigned in Egypt from 909 and 1171 introduced crafts and knowledge from politically troubled Baghdad to Cairo . </P> <P> By the year 1070, the Seljuks emerged as the dominant political force in the Muslim world after they liberated Baghdad and defeated the Byzantines at Manzikert . During the rule of Malik Shah the Seljuks excelled in architecture at the same time in Syria, the atabegs (governors of Seljuk princes) assumed power . Quite independent, they capitalized on conflicts with the Frankish crusaders . In 1171, Saladin seized Fatimid Egypt, and installed the transitory Ayyubid dynasty on the throne . This period is notable for innovations in metallurgy and the widespread manufacture of the Damascus steel swords and daggers and the production ceramics, glass and metalwork of a high quality were produced without interruption, and enameled glass became another important craft . </P>

Most highly valued form of art in the islamic world