The Museum of Islamic Arts’ (MIA) blockbuster exhibition, Imperial Threads: Motifs and Artisans from Turkey, Iran and India, will be closing on January 27. This is the last chance for visitors to discover masterpiece objects produced by three neighbouring empires.
The Imperial Threads exhibition focuses on the exchange of artistic and material cultures between three neighbouring empires, primarily from the 15th to the 19th centuries. It also illustrates the cultural and artistic background of this time by featuring artefacts including carpets, manuscripts, metalwork and ceramics.
“We’re delighted by the incredible response that we have had to date and would encourage anyone who hasn’t had a chance to see Imperial Threads to do so over the next four weeks,” said Khalid Al Ibrahim, Chief Strategic Planning Officer at QM.

Held under the patronage of Qatar Museums’ (QM) Chairperson HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the exhibition proved to be one of the most successful and popular showings at MIA — welcoming over 150,000 guests to date.

“The exhibition features spectacular examples of craftsmanship and masterpiece objects quite rare for any museum to showcase, Visitors to MIA have a unique opportunity to see one of the most important carpet collections in the world right here in Doha,” said MIA Director Dr. Julia Gonella.

The exhibition is broken down into three sections, each one focusing on a specific empire. The Safavid Empire section (1501-1736) displays works from the Safavid royal Kitabkhanah, or manuscripts workshop, as well as artistic motifs developed under patrons such as Shah Tahmasp. The second section introduces visitors to the Ottoman artistic production with works ranging from the 16th to 18th centuries. The last section highlights the Mughal Empire (1526-1858) and offers a look into the culmination of artistic styles integrating Safavid, Ottoman and local traditions.