History of the Collection
The collection of the Museum for Islamic Art comprises works of art, culture, and archaeology from Muslim-influenced societies from late antiquity to modern times. Its exhibits come from an area stretching from the southern and eastern Mediterranean through Anatolia, the Middle East, and Central Asia to India. In the stories about the collection's history, we take a look at the people and exhibits associated with the Museum of Islamic Art's collection.
Crossroads Iran
Crossroads Iran highlights narratives with Iran at the crossroads of cultural exchange and artistic influence. This initiative connects museum objects with archival photos, through stories and videos.
Architectural Landscape of Iran
The diversity of landscapes has shaped Iranian life - from agriculture and food to architecture. These connections come to life in the photographs of German geographer Eugen Wirth, who traveled across Iran in the early 1970s. This story explores how Iran's land and culture are deeply intertwined through his lens.
Stations of Place with Gohar Dashti
Gohar Dashti is one of the 12 contemporary artists whose artworks will be installed in the Museum for Islamic Art’s permanent collections. Her works will be part of the museum’s future presentation of Takht-e Soleyman and the archaeological remains in Berlin.
Mihrab Tile from Kashan
In this provenance research story, we trace the origins of a tile that entered the museum collection in Berlin from Spain, but was probably made in the workshops of Kashan.
Through Shadi Ghadirian’s Lens
Discussing Shadi Ghadirian's Qajar series, photography in Iran, identity, and the audience's engagement with her art.
Cairenes and Cairo of the 1970s
Photos from Michael Meinecke and his wife, the art historian Viktoria Meinecke-Berg highlight the daily life of Cairenes in Historic Cairo during the 1970s, showcasing one of the world's richest cities filled with Islamic monuments.
Jewish collectors of Islamic art
At the beginning of the 20th century, several Jewish Berliners were intensively involved in building the collection of the Museum for Islamic Art. How did they shape the museum and its collection? This highlights people without whom the museum would probably not exist in its current form.
The Collector Dr. Max Ginsberg
Some Jewish individuals were deeply involved in building the collection of the Museum for Islamic Art in the early 20th century. Dr. Max Ginsberg (1872-1938), a Berlin-based merchant and banker, was one of them.
Conservation of Carpets
Learn about carpet restoration history and processes at the Museum for Islamic Art.
From Samarra to Berlin
The provenance of stucco decorations from the caliphs' residence in Samarra to the Islamic section of the Royal Museums in Berlin.
DIGITALISING SAMARRA
All of the 1.500 or so preserved photographs of two excavation campaigns are now available for the first time.
SAMARRA REVISITED - QUESTIONING
How can the photos be linked to current social discourses?
SAMARRA REVISITED - RESEARCH
Excavation photographs help archaeologists and provenance researchers in research work.
VOICES AND MEMORIES OF SAMARRA
Voices from Samarra sharing their memories and wisdom with us.
Samarra Revisited
What actually happens behind the scenes in the museum? The special exhibition "Samarra Revisited - New Perspectives on the Excavation Photographs from the Palaces of the Caliph" opens a very personal insight of the employees into the museum work.
