The Ardabil Carpet
The Ardabil Carpet
Take a closer look at the world's oldest dated carpet and one of the largest, most beautiful and historically important
Islamic Middle East
The V&A holds over 19,000 items from the Middle East and North Africa, ranging from the early Islamic period (the 7th century) to the early 20th century.
These vibrant collections include holdings of metalwork, ceramics, architectural woodwork and textiles, in particular from Iran, and also from Turkey, Egypt, Iraq, Syria and the countries of North Africa. Highlights include the Ardabil Carpet, the world's oldest dated carpet and one of the largest, most beautiful and historically important.
Collection highlights
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Kaftan, about 1590, Bursa, Turkey -
Mamluk minbar, 1468 – 96, Cairo, Egypt -
(Detail) 22,500, composition, by Hadieh Shafie, 2011, Baltimore, US -
The Luck of Edenhall, beaker and case, 14th century, Middle East -
(Detail) The Ardabil Carpet, 1539 – 40, Iran -
Ewer, 1000 – 50, Egypt -
Pyxis, about 969 – 970, Madinat al-Zahra, Spain -
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(Detail) Tile panel, 17th century, Isfahan, Iran -
Animals by the Watering Hole, tapestry, by 'Ali Salim, 1985, Egypt
Features
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Iranian bath rasps: ASMR
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Jameel Prize: Poetry to Politics
Discover more about the 2021 Jameel Prize that will focus entirely on design
Calligraphy in Islamic art
Calligraphy in Islamic art
Discover the creativity and versatility of the written word in Islamic art
Contemporary ceramic making from the Middle East
Contemporary ceramic making from the Middle East
Discover the meanings, inspiration and processes of making
5,000 years of Persian history in 15 objects
5,000 years of Persian history in 15 objects
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Owen Jones and the Grammar of Ornament
Owen Jones and the Grammar of Ornament
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Researching the Alhambra Palace
Researching the Alhambra Palace
Experts from the Alhambra Palace and the V&A delve into one of the finest collections of Islamic art and architecture
K. A. C. Creswell's photographs of the Middle East
K. A. C. Creswell's photographs of the Middle East
The Luck of Edenhall
The Luck of Edenhall
Its unique, superstition-wrapped history makes this antique drinking glass one of the Museum's most intriguing objects
Recreating Palmyra's Arch of Triumph using photogrammetry
Recreating Palmyra's Arch of Triumph using photogrammetry
Design and make your own Islamic tile and printed pattern
Design and make your own Islamic tile and printed pattern
Have a go at creating patterns inspired by Islamic art
Jameel Prize: Moving Images
Jameel Prize: Moving Images
