The V&A’s new Jameel Gallery is a showcase for one of the most extensive and renowned collections of Islamic art in the world. Some 400 objects of exquisite beauty are on display, including ceramics, textiles, carpets, metalwork, glass and woodwork. The gallery includes both religious and secular art of the Islamic empires from the 9th century to the First World War. The area covers stretches from Spain to Uzbekistan and Afghanistan taking in the important centres of artistic production in the Arab lands, Turkey and Iran.

The overall principal behind the design of this gallery was to evoke a sense of the architectural environment of the Islamic Middle East. The centrepiece is the famous Ardabil Carpet from 16th century Iran, one of the largest, most beautiful and earliest dated carpets in the world. It is displayed on the floor in a vast, specially-designed case, which gives the illusion that it is on open display.

The new gallery was made possible thanks to a substantial donation from the Jameel Family. Fourteen specially planned events generated 55,640 visits from opening in July until September 2006. In the first week of opening, general museum visits increased by nearly 10,000 against the same period in July 2005.

The V&A is the UK’s National Museum of Art and Design and the greatest museum of art and design in the world. The collections of 2.3 million objects span over 3,000 years and many different cultures and countries. The museum’s purpose is to enable everyone to enjoy the collections and to inspire those who shape contemporary design.

Some of your comments:

Beautifully presented. Informative. Tranquil setting in which to study this huge range of astonishing material. One learnt much on a single visit and wanted to return again to absorb more, which is just what a study gallery of international standing should encourage.
Gillian Lewis, London – 19 February

Having been to Syria and sampled the Middle East, the Jameel Gallery has become for me a highlight in the V & A.  The cross over between East and West represented in the objects and imagery and the cross over in terms of different cultures is expertly portrayed, and the gallery is a visual feast.
Sue Graves, London – 16 March

I was in London in November for work and had 1.5 days. Between appointments I was desperate to ensure I could squeeze an hour and a half to see the Jameel Gallery which I knew was then open.  I was not disappointed - magnificent material in a serene space. Good contextual information broke up the different regions and their products, and the variety and quantity of Iznik was breath-taking. Beyond the exhibition itself is the grander objective of presenting a positive message on this vital part of the world in a hub of Europe.
Paul Donnelly, Sydney Australia – 19 March

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