Middle East collections: staff & areas of expertise
The V&A holds over 19,000 items from the Middle East and North Africa, ranging from the early Islamic period (the 7th century) to the early 20th century. The collections include holdings of metalwork, ceramics, architectural woodwork and textiles, in particular from Iran, and also from Turkey, Egypt, Iraq, Syria and the countries of North Africa. The ceramics collection is internationally the most important and comprehensive of its kind. It is particularly strong in Iranian wares, tiles of all countries and includes a large number of sherds.
Staff list:
Bain, Rowan
Assistant Curator
Middle East: General Enquiries
Carey, Moya
Curator
The Iranian world, illustrated manuscripts, scientific instruments, metalwork
Rosser-Owen, Mariam
Curator
The Arab world, ivory, stucco and stone, ceramics, glass
Stanley, Tim
Senior Curator
The Turkish world, Qurans and unillustrated manuscripts, lacquer, arms and armour, furniture and woodwork
Tuqan, Salma
Curator
Contemporary art from the Middle East
For textiles, see South and South-East Asia
A gift in your will
You may not have thought of including a gift to a museum in your will, but the V&A is a charity and legacies form an important source of funding for our work. It is not just the great collectors and the wealthy who leave legacies to the V&A. Legacies of all sizes, large and small, make a real difference to what we can do and your support can help ensure that future generations enjoy the V&A as much as you have.
MoreShop online
Palace and Mosque: Islamic Art from the Middle East
This fascinating introduction to Islamic art and culture draws on examples from the world famous collections at the V&A. The illuminating and high…
Buy nowEvent - Light From the Middle East: New Photography
Tue 13 November 2012–Sun 07 April 2013
EXHIBITION: Light from the Middle East: New Photography presents work by artists from across the Middle East (spanning North Africa to Central Asia), living in the region and in diaspora.
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