The National Museum of Korea has opened its first dedicated Islamic Art Gallery, marking a significant milestone in the museum's efforts to showcase diverse cultural heritage. The gallery's inaugural exhibition, "Islamic Art: A Journey of Splendor," features 83 carefully selected artifacts displayed in collaboration with the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, Qatar. The exhibition will run until October 11, 2026, offering visitors an extensive opportunity to explore the rich artistic traditions of Islamic civilization.
The opening ceremony on Friday brought together key cultural figures from both Korea and Qatar. National Museum of Korea Director You Hong-jun joined Museum of Islamic Art Director Shaika Nasser Al-Nassr, along with MIA's Deputy Director of Curatorial Affairs Mounia Chekhab Abudaya and Qatari Ambassador to Korea Khalid Ebrahim Al-Hamar. The dignitaries viewed various masterpieces together, including a remarkable 14th-century Mihrab panel from the Ilkhanid Dynasty, highlighting the diplomatic and cultural significance of this collaboration.
Among the exhibition's most striking pieces are a pair of ornate mosque lamps from the Mamluk Dynasty, which ruled Egypt and surrounding regions between the mid-13th and early 16th centuries. These intricate lamps demonstrate the sophisticated craftsmanship and artistic vision of medieval Islamic artisans. The collection also features beautiful calligraphic pottery tiles from the Ottoman Empire, showcasing the Islamic tradition of incorporating religious and decorative text into artistic works.
Visitors can explore artifacts spanning multiple Islamic empires and centuries, including a luxurious 17th-century throne carpet from the Safavid Empire and an illuminated manuscript page titled "Folio from the Shahnama" (1525-40), also known as the Book of Kings, from the same empire. The exhibition also displays a fascinating 17th-century brass celestial globe from the Mughal Empire, demonstrating the advanced astronomical knowledge and metalworking skills of Islamic scholars and craftsmen.
The new gallery represents a major step forward for cultural exchange between Korea and the Islamic world, providing Korean audiences with unprecedented access to Islamic artistic heritage. Through this partnership with Qatar's Museum of Islamic Art, the National Museum of Korea continues to expand its role as a bridge between different cultures and civilizations, offering educational opportunities that promote cross-cultural understanding and appreciation for diverse artistic traditions.
