Doha, Qatar: The Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) has released an informative four-part web series titled “Treasures of Islamic Art,” showcasing a collection of rare and unique objects from its extensive collections.
MIA boasts one of the most comprehensive and diverse collections of Islamic art in the world, with masterpieces representing the rich cultural heritage found in every corner of the Islamic world.
Through the web series “Treasures of Islamic Art,” the MIA brings its remarkable collection to a global audience, making it accessible to art enthusiasts and history lovers worldwide.
Viewers can easily access the episodes on the Qatar Museums website and the Qatar Museums YouTube channel. Each episode in the series ranges from four to six minutes, offering a captivating journey through the ages of Islamic art.
Episode 1: “A Pilgrim’s Journey,” delves into the magnificent and intricate world of a metres-long ziyaratname, known as the Hajj Certificate, from the MIA’s permanent collection.
This extraordinary scroll takes viewers on a visual pilgrimage, highlighting the stages and key landmarks of the Hajj journey, such as the revered Ka’bah and Maqam e Ibrahim, with supporting illustrations and inscriptions from the holy book, the Qur’an.
MIA Senior Curator, Dr. Mounia Chekhab Abodaya, provides valuable insights into the scroll’s historical significance and its association with the pilgrimage section of the gallery. The scroll, created entirely from different sheets of paper expertly combined, is a rare survivor from the 15th century, boasting depictions of Makkah and the Ka’bah, Medina and the sandal of the Prophet, Jerusalem and Hebron, and finally, Najaf and Karbala in Iraq.
Episode 2, “Arms and Armour,” spotlights the museum’s prominent Cavalry Horse, hailing from the medieval Ottoman period. Distinguished by the mark of the Arsenal of St. Irene, the horse armour stands as one of only 17 complete sets worldwide.
MIA Curator of South Asia, Dr. Tara Desjardins, leads the exploration of this unique gallery dedicated to the role arms and armour play within Islamic culture.
As Dr. Desjardins explained, the spread of Islam from the seventh century onwards resulted in the rise of three great empires known as the gunpowder empires of the early modern period – the Ottomans, Safavids, and Mughals in India. The Ottoman horse armour, dating back to the 1550s, serves as a remarkable example of technological innovations from the early medieval period.
Episode 3, titled “Nurse’s Qur’an (Mushaf Al-Hadina),” unveils the many hidden attributes of the Mushaf Al Hadina, also known as the ‘Nurse’s Qur’an.’ This rare and ancient bifolio in vellum features the Western Kufic script, showcasing bold and angular cursive letters.
The document, named after its patron, Fatima Al Hadina, the nurse of the ruler of the Zirid dynasty of Ifriqiya, Al Mu‘izz bin Badis, is a fascinating testament to the role of women in history. MIA Curator of Iranian Lands, Nicoletta Fazio, emphasised the significance of recognising women’s contributions to historical endeavours, particularly within Islamic arts and culture. This treasured manuscript, produced around a thousand years ago in Ifriqiyyah (modern-day Tunisia), holds profound historical and cultural importance.
In the final episode, Episode 4: “Damascus Room,” MIA Director, Dr. Julia Gonnella presents an immersive depiction of a residential reception room from the late Ottoman period in Damascus. The wooden interior decoration offers visitors a glimpse into the opulent and culturally rich interiors of 19th-century Syrian houses.
As she describes the intricate wooden panels, niches, and paintings, visitors are transported back in time to experience the Middle Eastern culture of hospitality that brings people together.
“The Museum of Islamic Art is one of the most beautiful museums in the world and I’m not saying this because I’m the Director, it’s just everything is so beautifully done and in harmony and if you know the other galleries, they have a completely different field,” Dr. Gonnella said.
