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Stop 1

Preparing for Prayer

Gallery 5
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Welcome to Reverent Ornament

CMA Curator of Education Glenna Barlow welcomes you to Reverent Ornament: Art from the Islamic World. 

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What Is Islamic Art?

Tap the image to hear about the term Islamic art and its origins in a Western world view.

Image: Filippo Barolini (Italian, 1861–1908). Preparing for Prayer, c. 1875. Watercolor on paper.

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Stop 2

Prayer Carpet (Iran)

Gallery 5
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Faith and Prayer

Tap the image to learn more about Islam and its practices. 

Image: Prayer Carpet, late 19th century. Tabriz, Iran. Silk.

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Astrolabe

Gallery 5
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The Pursuit of Science

Tap the image to learn about how scientific discoveries were embraced by Muslim culture. 

Image: Astrolabe, 1717–1718. Iran. Brass

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How To Use an Astrolabe

Via the British Museum YouTube Channel (Runtime 6:25)

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Stop 4

Charger

Gallery 5
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Chinese Porcelain

Tap the image to find out about the influences of Chinese ceramics and the Mongol Empire on this decorative plate from Iran.

Image: Charger, first half of 18th century. Iran. Underglaze-painted fritware.

See an Example of Chinese Ceramics

Note: This links to The Met website. To return to the tour, hit the back button in your browser.

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Stop 5

Tile

Gallery 6
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Lusterware and Mathematics

Tap the image for more about the history and significance of this eight-point tile.

Image: Star-shaped Tile, 14th century. Iran. Underglaze-painted fritware.

See More Examples of Eight Pointed Star Tiles

Note: This links to The Heritage Lab website. To return to the tour, hit the back button in your browser.

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Where Is Kashan? What Is Lustre?

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Stop 6

Huqqa Base

Gallery 6
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Smoking Tobacco

Tap the image to learn about the history of water pipes and the gender stereotypes that surround it. 

Image: Huqqa Base, 19th century. Iran, Qajar period. Copper and painted enamel.

  • A traditional hookah base from Iran, 1750-1800

  • Qajar woman smoking a hookah

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Stop 7

Covered Vessel

Gallery 6
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Djinns and Divs

Tap the image to hear about the figures on this vessel and how (and when) figuration was used in Islamic art. 

Image: Covered Vessel, c. 1860. Iran, Qajar period. Brass.

 

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Rustam Fights the Son of the White Div who Guarded Bizhan by Ferdowsi

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Prayer Carpet (Southern Transcaucasia)

Gallery 6
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Luxury Furnishings

Tap the image to learn about how the carpet went from being a practical solution to a global industry. 

Image: Prayer Carpet, late 19th century. Southern Transcaucasia. Wool.

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The Traditional Art of Azerbaijani Carpet Weaving in the Republic of Azerbaijan

Via the UNESCO YouTube channel (Runtime 10:40)

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