The National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ) will reopen its permanent galleries and unveil the landmark exhibition, Splendours of the Ancient East: Antiquities from The al-Sabah Collection, in its Temporary Exhibition Gallery. Drawn from the extraordinary holdings assembled in Kuwait by Sheikh Nasser Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah and Sheikha Hussa Sabah al-Salem al-Sabah, more than 170 objects provide a sweeping overview of the artistic and material culture of the ancient world, while also revealing new insights into the roots of Islamic art.

In light of the pandemic, Qatar Museums has implemented health and safety protocols that include requiring visitors to purchase tickets in advance on QM’s website. Additionally, visitors must present a “green” health status on the Ehteraz virus-tracing app, and bring and wear face coverings for the duration of their visit.

The objects selected for Splendours of the Ancient East: Antiquities from The al-Sabah Collection range in date from the third millennium BCE to the fifth century CE.

They include:

• jewelry and adornments (rings, earrings, necklaces, pendants, bracelets, buckles, and buttons)
• household furnishings (bowls, beakers, jars, ewers, cups, rhytons, bottles, dishes, and rugs)
• anthropomorphic and zoomorphic figurines and ritual objects decorative elements
• carved gemstones and seals

The objects in the exhibition are made with materials including gold, silver, bronze, lapis lazuli, carnelian, turquoise, garnet, agate, amethyst, pearl, diamond crystals, glass, ivory, alabaster and enamel. The use of such precious materials, and the exquisite workmanship of these artifacts, have made it possible for these objects to be preserved and treasured for millennia. They now testify to an artistic heritage that flourished in the Gulf region and nourished the later achievements of Islamic art.

NMoQ’s reopening timings are as follows: Saturday to Thursday from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm, and 1:30 pm to 7:00 pm on Friday.

Splendours of the Ancient East: Antiquities from the al-Sabah Collection will be on view through 3 January, 2021.

Source: Press Release

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Binu Cherian

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