Museum of Islamic Ceramics
When the Ministry
of Culture decided to add to its series of specialised museums one for
of Islamic ceramics, it chose the palace of Prince Ibrahim in Zamalek
built in 1343 H. (1924 A.D.).
Undoubtedly, this choice was inspired by the palaces impressive Islamic
architecture and dercoration, as well as its location in a quiet and fashionable
district in the heart of the city.
This splendid palace, a masterpiece in its own right, provides an ideal
setting for the precious works of Muslim ceramists throughout Islamic
history. The Museum of Islamic Ceramics, inaugurated late 1998, is an
integral part of the renovated and refurbished Gezira Art Centre affiliated
to the National Centre for Arts, Ministry of Culture.
The first of its kind in the Middle East, it houses a rare collection
of ceramics acquired from different Islamic countries that represent various
techniques of decoration applied in the Islamic world from Morocco in
the west to Iran in the east. The collection comprises 315 pieces, of
which 116 are from Egypt representing popular styles from the different
Islamic eras, Umayyad, Fatimid, Ayyubid and Mamluk, 118 pieces in Turkish
style ( Iznik and Kutahia ), 25 pieces in Syrian style (Al-Raqqa), 48
pieces in Iranian style, 2 pieces in Andalusian style, 2 pieces in Iraqi
style and one piece in Moroccan style. The ceramics include vessels, jars,
tiles, mugs, jugs, bowls, plates, pitchers, vases, lanterns, cups, the
oldest dating back to second century Hijra and the most recent dating
back to twelfth century Hijra.
The pieces, carefully selected from the acquisitions of the Gezira Museum
(150 pieces) Islamic Art Museum (159 pieces) and 6 pieces from the very
palace that houses the Museum of Islamic Ceramics, are displayed on two
floors in a total area of 420 square meters.