Museum of Islamic Art, Doha

Museum of Islamic Art, Doha

The Museum of Islamic Art in Doha showcases a collection of Islamic art from Asia, Africa and Europe spanning over 1400 years, from the 7th to 19th century.

The Museum of Islamic Art in Doha showcases a collection of Islamic art from Asia, Africa and Europe spanning over 1400 years, from the 7th to 19th century. It is housed in an iconic 5-storey building designed by I M Pei that combines traditional Islamic architecture with modern outlines. Located on a peninsula off the Corniche, it is connected to the shore by 3 bridges, of which 2 are pedestrian. The Magny and Chamesson limestone building, inspired by the Mosque of Ahmad Ibn Tulun in Cairo, features a 164-foot high domed atrium, which is concealed by the central tower. The interiors are designed as Pei's 'Cubist expression of geometric progression', with descent from oculus at the top of the faceted dome to octagon, to square, and finally to the 4 triangular columns of the atrium. The 45-metre tall window on the north side offers spectacular views of the Gulf and West Bay. The central courtyard is flanked by colonnaded galleries, across which is the Education Wing.

The collection on display has ceramics, manuscripts, jewelry, wood work, ivory, precious stones, metalwork, textiles, calligraphy objects, and glass from Spain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Turkey, India, and Central Asia. Highlights include ✓Indian Emperor Shah Jahan's jade pendant that he wore in bereavement, ✓9th-century white earthenware bowl from Iraq with Kufic inscriptions which illustrates the cross-cultural influences between Muslim and Chinese ceramicists, ✓Shahnameh manuscript by the poet Ferdowsi that documents the history of the Greater Persian Empire, ✓page from a Central Asian Qur’an which was created for the Emperor Timur, ✓breathtaking 13thcentury Cavour vase from Syria, and ✓silk tapestry with metal threadwork from the Safavid era depicting two women indulging in falconry.