Celebrating the bold patterns, luxurious materials and meticulous techniques that went into crafting carpets for historic royalty, Doha’s Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) and the Hong Kong Palace Museum (HKPM) have teamed up for a unique exhibition.
On show until October 6 at the Hong Kong Palace Museum, Gallery 9, Wonders of Imperial Carpets: Masterpieces from the Museum of Islamic Art delves into the rich artistic and cultural exchanges that have flourished between Islamic and Chinese civilisations over centuries.
The exhibition is the first in Hong Kong to present such a comprehensive study of Islamic imperial carpets, bringing almost 100 historic objects – including carpets, manuscripts, ceramics, metalwork and jade from between the 16th and 18th centuries – primarily drawn from the MIA’s collection, alongside loans from Beijing’s Palace Museum and the HKPM. For some of the objects, it’s their first time being shown outside of Qatar.
“The exhibition highlights how artistic traditions from Safavid, Mughal, and Ottoman periods intersected with those of China through centuries of trade, diplomacy, and shared visual language,” Mounia Chekhab Abudaya, MIA’s deputy director of curatorial affairs tells The National.
“Despite their geographic distance, Islamic and Chinese civilisations have long interacted through trade, diplomacy, and migration. The Silk Road played a crucial role in facilitating these exchanges, allowing for the flow of ideas, materials, and motifs between East and West.
“These dynasties all engaged with China, and these interactions influenced artistic traditions on both sides,” she adds. “While Islamic and Chinese carpets were shaped by distinct aesthetic traditions, there are notable points of convergence.
“Islamic carpets were often made of luxurious materials such as silk and gold thread, and featured intricate geometric, floral, and figural patterns. Chinese carpets, like those from the Xinjiang region during the Qianlong period, also used floral motifs and were designed for imperial use.”
The only key difference between the two culture’s carpets was symbolism, tied to religious art and motifs. Islamic carpets could feature prayer niches or talismanic symbols, such as the Ottoman Cintamani prayer rug shown in the exhibition, decorated with an auspicious motif of three circles, known as cintamani (“wish-fulfilling jewel”) in Sanskrit.
Associated with good luck and power, the motif was very popular at the Ottoman court. Depicted at the centre of the rug is a prayer niche; at the bottom is an abstract representation of the Prophet’s sandals.
Chinese carpets instead depicted motifs related to Taoism or imperial iconography. The Carpet with Flowers, made in the Xinjiang region during the Qianlong period (1736–1795), is a prime example, with stunning floral patterns used in the imperial palace.
Displayed alongside is a piece of Safavid silk fabric with golden brocade, which features a similar design, showing how fluid the visual language between both cultures was.
“A highlight piece of the show is the Kevorkian Hyderabad Carpet, measuring nearly 16 metres long. This grand durbar (audience chamber) carpet is one of the longest Islamic carpets held in any museum,” Chekhab Abudaya says. “Used in Mughal ceremonial courts, it will be displayed in its entirety – a rare opportunity for visitors.
“These objects not only represent extraordinary craftsmanship but also serve as tangible evidence of centuries-long cultural interaction and mutual influence.”
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Pupils in Abu Dhabi are learning the importance of being active, eating well and leading a healthy lifestyle now and throughout adulthood, thanks to a newly launched programme 'Healthy Lifestyle'.
As part of the Healthy Lifestyle programme, specially trained coaches from City Football Schools, along with Healthpoint physicians have visited schools throughout Abu Dhabi to give fun and interactive lessons on working out regularly, making the right food choices, getting enough sleep and staying hydrated, just like their favourite footballers.
Organised by Manchester City FC and Healthpoint, Manchester City FC’s regional healthcare partner and part of Mubadala’s healthcare network, the ‘Healthy Lifestyle’ programme will visit 15 schools, meeting around 1,000 youngsters over the next five months.
Designed to give pupils all the information they need to improve their diet and fitness habits at home, at school and as they grow up, coaches from City Football Schools will work alongside teachers to lead the youngsters through a series of fun, creative and educational classes as well as activities, including playing football and other games.
Dr Mai Ahmed Al Jaber, head of public health at Healthpoint, said: “The programme has different aspects - diet, exercise, sleep and mental well-being. By having a focus on each of those and delivering information in a way that children can absorb easily it can help to address childhood obesity."
