Treasured Ornament: 10 Centuries of Islamic Art illuminates the expertly crafted and exquisitely ornate objects that anchored everyday life in Muslim civilizations in Southwest Asia, Northern Africa, and beyond, including Iran, Egypt, India, Syria, and Turkey. Featuring fine glassware, ceramics, metalwork, painting, weaving, and much more, Treasured Ornament evokes the rich history of the Islamic world, and the shared human experiences that bind us, transcending borders and boundaries.
The Pittsburgh presentation is a collaborative institutional effort led by Dawn Brean, chief curator and director of collections along with Lauryn Smith, assistant curator; Morgan Lawrence, manager of collections and exhibitions; Bella Hanley, collections and exhibitions assistant; and Christina Cichra, collections technician.
The exhibition was curated by Christopher Hatten and based on research published in the accompanying catalogue written by Walter B. Denny, Distinguished Professor of the History of Art and Architecture at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and Sue D'Auria, former associate curator at the Huntington Museum of Art. Glenna Barlow, Curator of Education at the Columbia Museum of Art in South Carolina, generously shared the interpretive plan, didactics, and labels from CMA's 2023 presentation of the exhibition.
The Frick is grateful to Sahar S. Hosseini, PhD, Assistant Professor of the History of Art and Architecture and Yasmine Flodin-Ali, PhD, Assistant Professor of Modern Islam and Race in the Department of Religious Studies, both at the University of Pittsburgh, for reviewing and refining the exhibition texts for the Frick Pittsburgh's display.
Thank you to the talented team of art handlers who installed the exhibition: Scott Hunter, Duncan MacDiarmid, Kate Pirilla, and Briget Shield. Additional thanks to EngineHouse, Markantone Painting, and graphic designer Jennie Denton for helping to transform the galleries.
Treasured Ornament: 10 Centuries of Islamic Art is organized by the Huntington Museum of Art and is toured by International Arts & Artists, Washington, DC.
Treasured Ornament: 10 Centuries of Islamic Art is made possible in part by the generous support of Kirk J. Johnson and Henry W. Krakovsky, Jr.
Browse through a selection of pieces on display in Treasured Ornament: 10 Centuries of Islamic Art.
(Header) Iran, Tile, 14th century, underglaze-painted fritware. Gift of Drs. Joseph B. and Omayma Tourma. Huntington Museum of Art (West Virginia).