Islamic metalwork dating back as far as the 13th century has gone on display at the Cartwright Hall art gallery in Bradford.
The exhibition is called ‘Precious and Rare: Islamic Metalwork from The Courtauld Gallery’ – and it features one of the finest pieces of Islamic metalwork still in existence.
The piece is an important collection of work that has left London for the first time in decades.
The ten remarkable pieces of Islamic metalwork date back to the 13th and 16th centuries, and also include some of the finest examples of this intricate craft from modern-day Iran, Egypt, Turkey, Iraq and Syria.
The exhibition will run until the 10th May 2020 and has begun at the Bradford Council-run art gallery in Lister Park.
The Courtauld Gallery’s renowned collection of Islamic metalwork was formed by, Thomas Gambier who was one of the great Victorian art collectors.
Many of the finest pieces in the collection have been on permanent display in The Courtauld Gallery since their bequest in 1966, and only a few pieces have ever been on loan before outside of London.
The intricate objects have now been cleaned and conserved for the first time since the bequest was made, over 50 years ago.
The most spectacular piece in the collection is the Courtauld Bag, which was made in Mosul, present-day northern Iraq, for a noble lady of the Persian-Mongol court, around 1300-1330 and it is recognised as one of the finest pieces of Islamic inlaid metalwork in existence.
Other items on display include an intricately decorated incense burner, a pair of candlesticks and stunning bowl.
The objects are displayed alongside paintings, photography, calligraphy and glassware from Bradford Museums and Galleries own collections
Councillor Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Healthy People and Places, said: “This important and little-known area of The Courtauld Gallery’s collection offers an opportunity for visitors around the country to learn more about a fascinating area of the arts of Islam.”
Dr Alexandra Gerstein, The Courtauld Gallery’s curator of sculpture and decorative arts, said: “We are thrilled to partner with Cartwright Hall to provide an opportunity for the local community to experience and enjoy some of the most treasured art works from The Courtauld Gallery.”
