The Damascus Room, a huge, wood-paneled chamber from a wealthy 18th century household is also new. The room was disassembled in Syria, shipped to New York, and rebuilt inside the museum. Conservators repaired and restored each element of the carved and painted wood and the decorative tiles.
Sheila Canby says the room features floral patterns derived from Europe as well as geometric patterns and inscriptions.
“And inscriptions that are poetical inscriptions, that praise the house, praise the owner, and praise the prophet Mohammed," she said.
There are sculptures - like a pair of palace guards from medieval Iran and paintings of courtly scenes, or lovers embracing. There are household items, some extravagant, such as an enormous bronze incense burner in the shape of a lion. Others are simple.
but decorative - featuring the intricate geometric patterns, calligraphy and arabesques that dominate Islamic art because of Islam's taboo on depicting humans and animals.
One of Canby’s favorite pieces is a 10th century white bowl with black calligraphy that reads, “Planning before work saves you from regret.”
“That’s a very charming statement, but the fact is the object itself, I think, is sublimely beautiful because of that purity of design," she said.
And there are, of course, Koranic manuscripts with refined calligraphy.
Although the new setting is huge, the 1,200 pieces on display represent only one-tenth of the museum’s holdings of Islamic art.
最新
2013-11-27
2013-11-27
2013-11-27
2013-11-27
2013-11-27
2013-11-27