The Museum of Islamic Art opened recently in Doha, Qatar and is the home of the largest collection of Islamic art in the world. The I.M. Pei – designed structure has 41,000 square feet of galleries organized around a towering atrium capped by a dome. It sits on its own island that sets if off from the rest of the city and so it won’t be hemmed in by future construction.
Inside the grand, Cubist building is an amazing collection that spans a wide range of time periods and geographic areas. The artifacts come from Spain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Turkey, India, Central Asia and more. Just some of the works on display include a 10th century bronze Andalusian fountainhead in the form of a doe and a spherical brass plate from Persia or Mesopotamia.
The museum has other objects of great historical and cultural importance, such as two velvet panels illustrating wine drinking at the Safavid court from later 16th century Iran; dazzling brass pieces from 13th-century Iraq including door knockers and candlesticks; pottery and other bowls with beautiful designs. It is truly a unique place for those who want to see as much cultural history as possible.
Currently the museum is open daily except Tuesdays and will be closed on the first day of Eid and Christmas.
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