Precious and Rare: Islamic Metalwork from The Courtauld

From now until 1 August 2020, the world-class collection of Islamic metalwork from the Courtauld Gallery in London is on display at the Holburne in Bath, after a tour of nine other British cities. These remarkable pieces have rarely left London since their bequest over fifty years ago. The most spectacular is the Courtauld Bag, made in Mosul, present day northern Iraq, for a noble lady of the Persian-Mongol court, around 1300 – 1330. It is recognised as one of the finest pieces of Islamic inlaid metalwork in existence, and the only surviving object of its kind. Other objects include examples of this intricate craft from modern-day Iraq, Iran, Syria, Egypt and Turkey. The video linked to here was made by the History of Science Museum in Oxford, one of the cities in the tour.

The national tour is in partnership with the Specialist Subject Network for Islamic Art and Material Culture and supported by Art Fund.

Metalwork Bag, 1300-1330, © The Courtauld Collection