Exhibition Opening on Saturday, 29 May 2021

Epic Iran

+44 (0)20 7942 2000

  • Opening on Saturday, 29 May 2021

  • Gallery 39 and the North Court

  • £18.00

    Concessions apply.
    Members and children under 12 go free. Booking is essential.

Members visit free – join now

Exploring 5,000 years of art, design and culture, Epic Iran will shine a light on one of the greatest historic civilisations, its journey into the 21st century and its monumental artistic achievements, which remain unknown to many.

Epic Iran is organised by the V&A with the Iran Heritage Foundation in association with The Sarikhani Collection

Exhibition Highlights

Group of two figures
Group of two figures, about 1500 – 1100 BC. © The Sarikhani Collection
armlet
Armlet, from the Oxus Treasure, 500 – 330 BC, present day Afghanistan. Museum no. 442-1884. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Bust
Royal bust, about 439 – 457 AD. © The Sarikhani Collection
Folio from the Shahnameh of Shah Tahmasp
Qaran Unhorses Barman, a folio from the Shahnameh of Shah Tahmasp, Tabriz, about 1523 – 35. The Sarikhani Collection, I.MS.4025. © The Sarikhani Collection
Horoscope of Iskandar Sultan
Horoscope of Iskandar Sultan, 1411. © Wellcome Collection
Bottle and bowl with poetry in Persian
Bottle and bowl with poetry in Persian, 1180 – 1220, Iran. Museum nos. C.37-1978 & C.46-1978. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
aba
Aba, male robe, before 1877, Kashan, Iran. Museum no. 883-1877. Museum no. 883-1877. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
blouse
Woman’s jacket, blouse and skirt, 1800 – 50, Iran. Museum no. T.57&A-1979. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
The Poet and the Beloved of the King
The Poet and the Beloved of the King, Parviz Tanavoli, 1964 – 66. . © Tate, London. 2017
Painting
Veiled Woman, by Sirak Melkonian, 1957. © Sirak Melkonian
Eshgh (Love)
Eshgh (Love), by Farhad Moshiri, 2007. © Farhad Moshiri
Miss Hybrid #3
Miss Hybrid #3, by Shirin Aliabadi, 2008. © Estate of Shirin Aliabadi
Cyrus Cylinder
Cyrus Cylinder, 539 – 538 BC. © The Trustees of the British Museum
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Epic Iran: 5000 Years of Culture (Hardback)

Epic Iran: 5000 Years of Culture (Hardback)

This book brings treasures from the ancient and Islamic worlds together with the work of contemporary artists and makers.

£35 Buy
Epic Iran exhibition tote bag

Epic Iran exhibition tote bag

Inspired by the V&A’s world-renowned collection of Iranian textiles, the patterns on this bag have been adapted and recoloured to create a stunning design.

£12 Buy
Medium pink Iranian kapu basket

Medium pink Iranian kapu basket

These joyful hand-woven baskets made by female artisans reflect a unique expression of Iranian craftsmanship that has existed for thousands of years.

£25 Buy
Epic Iran

With thanks to: The Godwin Family, Darioush Winery, Cockayne – Grants for the Arts, a donor-advised fund of The London Community Foundation, The Ruddock Foundation for the Arts, The Soudavar Memorial Foundation, The Arah Foundation, Dr Amir Ali Farman-Farma and The Altajir Trust.

Background image: Detached folio from an illuminated manuscript of the Shahnameh for Shah Tahmasp, 1525 – 35, Tabriz. The Sarikhani Collection, I.MS.4025.