a gem in the desert

  by Adi Cloete

Today’s blog shares a glimpse of my visit to the amazing Islamic Art Museum, in Doha, Qatar. Apart from seeing my friends and spending a night in the desert :) it was one of my highlights. 

Not only does the collection within the walls of this museum fascinate, but the building itself is an architectural landmark of the Middle East.

It was designed by the well-known I.M.Pei, often referred to as a master of modern architecture, and also responsible for the design of the glass pyramid of the Louvre Museum in Paris. Pei was 91 when he was asked to design the Islamic Art Museum for Doha. To gain inspiration he embarked on a cultural journey across the Middle East, India and even China to grasp the essence of Islamic architecture.

He proposed that the museum is built on a stand-alone man-made island in the sea about 60m off Doha’s Corniche, surrounded by a park, to ensure that it would never be encroached by future buildings. The structure of the museum combines modern and traditional Islamic themes and represents a bridge between past and present, East and West. 

View from the museum to Doha's Corniche

The main building has a high domed atrium, which is concealed from the outside. At the top of the atrium the light is captured by an oculus and reflected as patterned light within the dome.

The structure of the museum is such that the desert sun transforms the building into a play of light and shadow.

When you finally make it to the various collections exhibited, one is transported into a world of detail, pattern and amazing craftsmanship. 


A few of the treasures to be seen. 

The gem encrusted falcon seen above is from India (c.1640) and is made with gold, enamel, rubies, emeralds, diamonds, sapphires and onyx. 
The little wine cup is also from India(1605- 1627)and carved from emerald!!with gold & enamel. 
The huqqa base (India 1700) was carved from jade (nephrite)with lapis lazuli, ruby and gold inlay.

Basin from Syria (1240-1260). Brass with silver inlay.

Glass bottle from Iran (9th - 10th century) , ceramic tiles and a mirror (back detail) from Iran (16th century) made from steel.