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Caliphs and Kings: The Art and Influence of Islamic Spain

May 8, 2004 - October 17, 2004

Museum: Sackler Gallery

Location: First level, Southeast Galleries

Eighty-nine objects -- dating from the time of the Arab conquest of the Iberian Peninsula in the 8th century to the final phase of Muslim life in Spain in the 16th century -- illustrate themes of longevity, continuity, and transmission in the Islamic decorative arts and sciences in medieval Spain. Works of particular note include a 10th-century ivory pyxis from Madinat al-Zahra', an early 15th-century armorial carpet from Letur made for Maria de Castilla (queen of Aragon), 2 exquisite illuminated Hebrew Bibles, a Qur'an, a tin-glazed "Alhambra Vase" from the Freer collection, and a 1468 portolan map by cartographer Pere Rosell. Objects are from the collection of the Hispanic Society of America in New York.

Catalogue: $35 (cloth)

Online Exhibition