In Palaces and Tents. Islamic World from China to Europe
14 February 2008 - 7 September 2008
Nicholas Hall

The exhibition deals with contacts of the Islamic World with its neighbour cultures of Europe and China and consists of four sections. The first one is devoted to Islamic art of the period from the 7th century to the time of the Mongol invasion. The second illustrates its subsequent development well up to the 16th century. Within its framework one specially stresses the Chinese culture influence which the Mongol invasion served to intensify manifold. The third section jointly displays works of art dating from 16th-19th centuries and coming from various Islamic countries, chronologically arranged. The fourth one deals with political (both diplomatic and military) contacts of Russia and the World of Islam. Among the exhibits are diplomatic gifts from monarchs of Islamic countries to Russian tsars and emperors and trophies captured by Russian warriors in numerous wars with Turkey and Persia. All in all, the exhibition includes more than 300 pieces originating from different lands of the Islamic World. The tent from Bukhara is expected to become the gem of the display. The magnificent pavilion, never completely assembled before, is to be pitched in the Nicholas Hall of the State Hermitage Museum. Besides, there is another tent to be set up that used to belong to a Turkish agha and is lavishly decorated with exquisite floral embroidery. Having been seized as a trophy by Russian soldiers, it was used for the need of a Russian army wagon train for some decades, to be delivered to the Court Stables Museum in 1842. The Turkish tent, as well as the one from Bukhara, is to be displayed at the State Hermitage Museum for the first time in history. Of special interest are works of the art of India, 69 in number. They include fine fabrics, chests and metalware that mostly have never been exhibited before.