Iranian artworks on display at Moscow museum

 

Ninety-nine artifacts dating back from the 9th to the 19th century have been loaned by the Mardjani Foundation for  the support of research and cultural programs to the exhibition entitled Ninety-Nine Names of God, the museum announced. 

 

The Persian collection includes goblets illustrated with human and animal motifs, hand-woven carpets, calligraphy works, illuminations, and miniatures.

 

The title of the exhibit refers to the beautiful names of God Muslims recite in their prayers.

 

Three sections of this exhibition correspond to the main historical epochs: from the birth of Islam to the Mongol invasion, the time of the Genghisid states, and the post-Mongol period.

 

The first section displays works from North Africa, Syria, Iraq, Iran and Asia Minor. 

 

The second section showcases a much wider geographical area, from China to the steppes of Eastern Europe, with the art of the Mongol empire unified throughout this vast territory. 

 

The third section presents artworks of the court ateliers of the later Muslim dynasties including Ottomans (1281-1924), Timurids (1370-1507), Safavids (1501-1722) and Qajars (1779-1925). 

 

According to Mardjani foundation President Rustam Suleymanov, the language of beauty is understandable to all people. It forms a bridge between peoples and cultures. This exhibition invites visitors to reveal this exalted harmony.

 

The Mardjani Foundation for Support of Research and Cultural Programs, named in honor of the eminent Tatar scholar and Muslim theologian Shihabutdin Mardjani (1818-1889) was founded in 2006 as a result of ten years creative activities of a team of scholars and historians.

 

As a non-governmental non-profit private operating organization their sphere of interest is the support of original research projects in all branches of humanities, arts and social sciences concerned with the historical heritage of Islam in Russia and Eurasia.

 

SB/YAW

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