Islamic World
The term “Islamic art” encompasses the entire realm of artistic production in those lands where, from the 7th century onward, the Muslim religion took hold. Islamic art includes not only objects used in the service of religion but also those created for the courts of the Middle East and Central Asia, as well as articles used in everyday life, over a territory that at its height stretched from present-day Spain and North Africa westward to India. The museum’s holdings reflect the cultural diversity and geographical range of Islamic cultures.
Islamic achievements in all artistic media are represented at the Walters. Among the highlights are a 7th-century carved and hammered silver bowl from Iran that demonstrates the continuation of Sassanian traditions in early Muslim Persia; a 13th-century candlestick made of copper, silver, and gold from Mamluk Egypt; 16th-century mausoleum doors decorated with intricate wood carvings in a radiating star pattern; a delicate 17th-century silk sash from Moghul India; and a 17th-century Turkish tile with an image of the Great Mosque of Mecca.
The term “Islamic art” encompasses the entire realm of artistic production in those lands where, from the 7th century onward, the Muslim religion took hold. Islamic art includes not only objects used in the service of religion but also those created for the courts of the Middle East and Central Asia, as well as articles used in everyday life, over a territory that at its height stretched from present-day Spain and North Africa westward to India. The museum’s holdings reflect the cultural diversity and geographical range of Islamic cultures.
Islamic achievements in all artistic media are represented at the Walters. Among the highlights are a 7th-century carved and hammered silver bowl from Iran that demonstrates the continuation of Sassanian traditions in early Muslim Persia; a 13th-century candlestick made of copper, silver, and gold from Mamluk Egypt; 16th-century mausoleum doors decorated with intricate wood carvings in a radiating star pattern; a delicate 17th-century silk sash from Moghul India; and a 17th-century Turkish tile with an image of the Great Mosque of Mecca.
![Image for Fragmentary Ottoman Cenotaph Cover with Qur'anic Verses](https://art.thewalters.org/images/art/thumbnails/PS1_83.7_Fnt_DD_T15-tms.jpg)
Fragmentary Ottoman Cenotaph Cover with Qur'anic Verses
![Image for Album of Persian and Indian Miniatures, Calligraphy, and European Engravings](https://art.thewalters.org/images/art/thumbnails/CPS_W.771_Det_DD.jpg)
Album of Persian and Indian Miniatures, Calligraphy, and European Engravings
![Image for Two Leaves Depicting the Prophet Muhammad, Ali, and His Sons Hasan and Husayn](https://art.thewalters.org/images/art/thumbnails/CPS_W.679.Aa_Fp_DD.jpg)
Two Leaves Depicting the Prophet Muhammad, Ali, and His Sons Hasan and Husayn
![Image for Single Leaf of a Charging Elephant](https://art.thewalters.org/images/art/thumbnails/CPS_W.694_Det_DD.jpg)
Single Leaf of a Charging Elephant
![Image for Single Leaf of Youths Before a Ruler at his Court](https://art.thewalters.org/images/art/thumbnails/CPS_W.688.a_Fp_DD.jpg)
Single Leaf of Youths Before a Ruler at his Court
![Image for Single Leaf of a Portrait of Shah Jahan](https://art.thewalters.org/images/art/thumbnails/CPS_W.703.a_Fp_DD.jpg)
Single Leaf of a Portrait of Shah Jahan
![Image for Single Leaf of an Elephant Attacking a Horse and Rider](https://art.thewalters.org/images/art/thumbnails/CPS_W.704.a_Fp_DD.jpg)
Single Leaf of an Elephant Attacking a Horse and Rider
![Image for Collection of Prayers for the Prophet Muhammad](https://art.thewalters.org/images/art/thumbnails/CPS_W.583.binding_ClsdTopVwA_DD_300.jpg)
Collection of Prayers for the Prophet Muhammad
![Image for Commentary on Select Verses of the Qur'an](https://art.thewalters.org/images/art/thumbnails/CPS_W.667.binding_Top_DD_upperboardoutside.jpg)
Commentary on Select Verses of the Qur'an
![Image for Poem in Honor of the Prophet Muhammad](https://art.thewalters.org/images/art/thumbnails/CPS_W.582.binding_ClsdTopVwA_DD_300.jpg)
Poem in Honor of the Prophet Muhammad
![Image for Single Leaf of a Monkey Riding a Goat and Three Sheep](https://art.thewalters.org/images/art/thumbnails/CPS_W.687.a_Fp_DD.jpg)
Single Leaf of a Monkey Riding a Goat and Three Sheep
![Image for Single Leaf of Two Young Men Riding a White Elephant](https://art.thewalters.org/images/art/thumbnails/CPS_W.693.a_Fp_DD.jpg)
Single Leaf of Two Young Men Riding a White Elephant
![Image for Leaf from Poem in Honor of the Prophet Muhammad](https://art.thewalters.org/images/art/thumbnails/CPS_W.582.13a_Fp_DD.jpg)