Past event
Epic Iran
This exhibition is now closed at V&A South Kensington
Exploring 5,000 years of art, design and culture, Epic Iran shined 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.
Exhibition trailer
★★★★★ Explores five jaw-dropping millennia of cultural history.
The Guardian
Epic Iran is organised by the V&A with the Iran Heritage Foundation in association with The Sarikhani Collection
Exhibition highlights
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Group of two figures, about 1500 – 1100 BC. © The Sarikhani Collection -
Armlet, from the Oxus Treasure, 500 – 330 BC, Tajikistan. Museum no. 442-1884. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London -
Royal bust, about 439 – 457 AD. © The Sarikhani Collection -
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, 1411. © Wellcome Collection -
Bottle and bowl with poetry in Persian, 1180 – 1220, Iran. Museum nos. C.37-1978 & C.46-1978. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London -
Aba, male robe, before 1877, Kashan, Iran. Museum no. 883-1877. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London -
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, by Parviz Tanavoli, 1964 – 66 . © Tate, London. 2017 -
Veiled Woman, by Sirak Melkonian, 1957. © Sirak Melkonian -
Eshgh (Love), by Farhad Moshiri, 2007. © Farhad Moshiri -
Miss Hybrid #3, by Shirin Aliabadi, 2008. © Estate of Shirin Aliabadi -
Cyrus Cylinder, 539 – 538 BC. © The Trustees of the British Museum
Past events
Features
About the Epic Iran exhibition
Find out more about our Epic Iran exhibition
5,000 years of Persian history in 15 objects
Take a journey through 5,000 years of Iranian art, design and culture
Design and make your own Islamic tile and printed pattern
Have a go at creating patterns inspired by Islamic art
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.