(.PDF) Diplomacy by Design: Luxury Arts and an "International Style" in the Ancient Near East, 1400-1200 BCE
reki rahayu
"Diplomacy by design" refers to the use of material objects, such as works of art or other luxury goods, to communicate and negotiate political, economic, and cultural relations between different societies or groups. In the ancient Near East, luxury arts, such as gold and silver objects, jewelry, and finely crafted ceramics, were often used in this way to establish and maintain diplomatic and trade relationships.
The concept of an "international style" refers to the emergence of shared aesthetic and technical elements in the arts and crafts of different societies, which suggests the exchange of ideas and influences between these societies. In the ancient Near East, an "international style" can be seen in the similarities in the design and production of luxury arts across different cultures, including the use of similar materials and techniques.
The use of luxury arts and an "international style" in the ancient Near East can provide insight into the ways in which societies communicated and interacted with each other, and the role of material culture in shaping these relationships. It also highlights the importance of material objects in the negotiation of power and status within and between societies.