Doha - A collection of ancient Islamic artifacts dating from the 7th to the 19th centuries and spanning three continents previously on show at the prestigious Louvre Museum in Paris are on display at Fahd Bin Ali Palace.
Sub-titled 'From Cordoba to Samarqand, the exhibit is a collection of remarkably well preserved vases, tapestry, the finest examples of calligraphy- and a rare glimpse of the artistry surrounding pottery, glass and textile production reflecting the creativity and diversity of inspiration in Islamic countries.
The term "Islamic art" describes works of art produced throughout a broad geographic region. The Islamic masterpieces on show demonstrate the extraordinarily diverse artistic output of the Islamic world, nourished by a rich vein of cross-cultural influences.
'From Cordoba to Samarqand, from earthenware to luxury silk, the visual language of Islamic Art speaks with a recognisable vocabulary,' is how an inscription at the entrance of the hall describes the display.
By 715 the Muslim world spread from Spain to Central Asia, embracing a myriad of ethnic, linguistic and historical differences, it says.
Within the art of Islam, rich variations flourished but the new vision transcended geography; the living rhythms of Islamic culture also concerned people other than Muslims. Copts in Egypt, Jews in Spain, Christians in Syria. Differences were united by a force of spirit which gave birth to a distinctive aesthetic.
The works are grouped according to the material they are made of rather than their function, period, and place of origin; the displays aim to provide an overview of the stylistic diversity of Islamic art as a whole.
A 15th-16th century agate bowl carved and gilded by Ahmad Ibn Shukrallah al- Farsi of Iran and a 9th-10th century chalice manufactured in Iraq or Egypt made from clear glass, cut in relief are brilliant examples of calligraphy: each of the pieces on display is a jewel in itself.
A 10th century earthenware with elongated letters of elegant Kufic inscription running around the rim, a 1560-1570 earthenware vase from Iznik (Turkey) with underglaze painted decoration and a 9th century bowl from Iraq (probably Basra) are some of the many masterpieces being showcased.
The potters of 9th century Basra introduced elegant writing in cobalt blue which was to inspire Chinese potters centuries later. Their introduction of luster-painting to pottery previously used on glass, created the effect of gold to further enhance simple earthenware, says a descriptive remark at the exhibition wing devoted to pottery and glass objects.
Visitors can only marvel at the wonderful jewels and precious materials, all richly decorated with Arabesque, calligraphy and geometric motifs or at the Arabesque pattern of leaves and flowers that wraps around the body of an Indian Huqqa (shisha) based carved of the Moghul era, delicate spirals decorate Fatimid bracelets, calligraphy carved into a jade amulet, there is even a hunting horn with Islamic aesthetic from 11th-12th century Sicily where such aesthetic was in vogue.
A 15th -16th century bowl from Iran made of semi-precious stone agate, carved and glided, a 10th century bronze hind from Cordoba, a jade amulet from Mughal India, poetry in calligraphy on 10th century ceramics, are among the masterpieces that is to wow visitors with splendor.
In sum, the exhibition which incorporates a number of exceptionally fine, often very rare works illustrating the particular characteristics of Islamic art is definitely an event. The masterpieces on show which represent a rich and vibrant span of history across three continents are completely worth seeing.
By Abdul Basit and Shaival Dalal
© The Peninsula 2007
