The Ardabil Carpet
Take a closer look at the world's oldest dated carpet and one of the largest, most beautiful and historically important
Islamic Middle East
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.
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These vibrant 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. Highlights include the Ardabil Carpet, the world's oldest dated carpet and one of the largest, most beautiful and historically important.
Collection highlights
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Kaftan, about 1590, Bursa, Turkey -
Mamluk minbar, 1468 – 96, Cairo, Egypt -
(Detail) 22,500, composition, by Hadieh Shafie, 2011, Baltimore, US -
The Luck of Edenhall, beaker and case, 14th century, Middle East -
(Detail) The Ardabil Carpet, 1539 – 40, Iran -
Ewer, 1000 – 50, Egypt -
Pyxis, about 969 – 970, Madinat al-Zahra, Spain -
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(Detail) Tile panel, 17th century, Isfahan, Iran -
Animals by the Watering Hole, tapestry, by 'Ali Salim, 1985, Egypt
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