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Landmark Museum of Islamic Art unveiled to public
Museum of Islamic Art today unveiled doors to the world, marking another milestone in the history of Qatar today.
Apart from being just a breathtaking piece of architecture by one of the most celebrated architects of the world, the museum also houses a range of art collection that equals any that has ever been assembled hitherto.
However, for Qatar, this is not the first time that it has made history in the museum world. The Qatar National Museum opened in October 1977, was also the first of its kind in the Arabian Gulf.
Housing the largest collection of ethnographical, historical and ecological material, assembled in eastern Arabia and the Gulf, the museum set a new standard for such institutions in the Middle East.
After about three decades, Qatar again leads the way in establishing new standards in the Museum world, worldwide.
The project, under the guidance of H.H. Sheikha Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, Chairperson of Qatar Museum Authority, lays the foundation to transform the State of Qatar into global capital of culture.
The wonderful assemblage of textiles, carpets, metalwork, calligraphy, and miniature painting on display comprises pieces that stem from the seventh century of Islamic world, embracing the creativity of 13 centuries, covering several countries across the world.
The collection signifies the complete scope of Islamic art and includes ceramics, metal, manuscripts, ivory, glass, wood, textiles and precious stone from places as far as India and Spain. Several objects from Middle Eastern countries are included.
One of the highlights of the ample treasures, are the 10th century cast bronze fountain head in the form of hind, from a palace courtyard fountain in Spain, a planispheric astrolabe, a silk carpet known as the Timurid Chessboard Garden Carpet made for the Samarqand ruler Timur which dates back to 14th-16th centuries.
Priceless jewels, such as a cup carved from a solid emerald, a jade amulet worn by Moghul emperor Shahjahan in the 17th century, a gold falcon from Moghul India and inlalid with enamel and gems.
Standing along the specially constructed island, located 60m off the Doha Corniche, the museum creates a stunning visual image, drawin inspiration from the Mosque of Ahmad bin Tulun in Cairo, Egypt.
Covered with honey-coloured stone, the museum is a five-storey building, with two-storey education wing connected across a central courtyard and approached by two shaded pedestrian bridges. A park with 64 acres of dunes and oases will provide shelter to the museum from the onshore winds and form a picturesque backdrop when complete.
A cascade of water running through it from the fountain plaza in front of the museum, and the shade of date palms, offer immediate relief from strong sunshine to the visitor.
The two island light towers located in the sea, 30m away from the north façade is a necessary step to enhance the visibility of the building from the West Bay development.
The vast spacious interior is flooded with light from sheet glass walls, and two graceful curved staircases rising from the atrium floor. An eye-catching circular metal chandelier of 12m diameter is suspended in front of them.
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