Greek and Islamic Art in Norman Italy
The large presence of Muslim Berbers in the Greek parts of southern Italy also resulted in a blend of Arab-Norman influence in artistic creation throughout the Norman domain. The numerous techniques that came from the Berbers were incorporated with Greco-Norman artistry to form the basis of what became a distinct Arab-Norman art. These artistic techniques include sculptures of ivory and porphyry (a kind of crystallized quartz), bronze foundries, and Siculo-Arab techniques of silk manufacturing that were inherited after the Normans conquered the region. Like its Greek counterpart, the Arab-Norman art style maintained a massive influence throughout the next few centuries of Norman rule.