A Gallery celebrating the 25th Anniversary of The Institute of Ismaili Studies

Illuminating Beauty, Illustrating Harmony: A Gallery celebrating the 25th Anniversary of The Institute of Ismaili Studies

http://www.iis.ac.uk/view_article.asp?ContentID=105558

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Drawing on selected examples from the collection at The Institute of Ismaili Studies, ‘Illuminating Beauty, Illustrating Harmony’ invites the viewer to the large and complex subject of the artistic and intellectual heritage of Islam. Ranging in date from the ninth to the nineteenth century, and produced in lands as far westward as Tunisia and as far eastward as China and India, the artefacts reflect the great diversity and range of a distinctive visual culture with its own unique artistic language.

‘Illuminating’ and ‘illustrating’ are appropriate from with the perspectives of calligraphy and the arts of the book, and are also linked to notions of knowledge and learning in Islam. A significant number of items in this exhibition are, therefore, related to the arts of the book, in particular the Qur’an.

‘Beauty’ – suggestive of the concept of wonder – and ‘harmony’ – suggestive of the concept of resonance – transcend distances in time and space. These terms have a plurality of meanings in Islam’s artistic and intellectual heritage, yet also reflect a continuum within the context of its vast historical span and geographical scope.

 

Styles of Arabic Script
Manuscript of a Qur’an, Egypt
Miniature Qur’an
Single Folio from a Qur’an, Tunisia

Tiraz Textile

Safavid Qur’an

Inscriptions on Artefacts
Illuminated Album Page
Single Folio from a Mamluk Qur’an
Swatow Dish
Two Lines from a Timurid Qur’an
Carved wood panel

Album of Prayers in Concertina-style

Complete Qur’an on Cloth

The Scientific Tradition
Qanun fi’l-tibb (Canon of Medicine)
Taqwim al-Sihha (Maintenance of Health)
Brass Planispheric Astrolabe

Prayers of Devotion
Book of Shi‘a Prayers
Octagonal Qur’an Case
Lacquer Pen-box
Ruby-mounted Agate Pendant

Complete Qur’an Manuscript on Two Pages

Bifolium from the Blue Qur’an

Qur’an Scroll, Persia

Qur’ans in gold kufic script