London’s V&A has one of the world’s finest collections of Islamic art from the Middle East. Among its 10,000 objects are the Ardabil Carpet made in 16th-century Iran, one of the largest and finest carpets in existence, and an exquisite rock crystal ewer from 11th-century Egypt. From the summer of 2006, these treasures will be displayed in a dazzling new gallery conceived to increase awareness and appreciation of Islamic art.

An Introduction to Islamic Art highlights the beauties and complexities of many of the greatest objects from the V&A collection. Curators and experts concentrate on a selection of the treasures to draw the viewer into the fascinating world of Islamic art. Each of the main forms of the arts under Islam – ceramics, textiles, metalwork and manuscripts, together with elements of architecture – is discussed and illustrated.