Exhibitions And Publications

Man, God and Nature in the Ancient World: Masterpieces from The Al Thani Collection

This exhibition will feature 117 ancient works of art created by a rich diversity of cultures spanning over three thousand years. United by the themes of Man, God and Nature, it will explore the way in which people of the ancient world addressed and interpreted the forces around them. Highlights range from a Kiliya 'stargazer' idol carved from marble circa 3000 BC and an Egyptian royal head carved from jasper circa 1450 BC, to a ceremonial Mayan mask and Sasanian silver from the first centuries of the Christian era. The curators of the exhibition are Mr. Imai Atsushi and Mr. Onozuka Takuzo of Tokyo National Museum, and Dr. Amin Jaffer, Senior Curator of the Al Thani Collection.

At the Dawn of Islamic Art: A Dish from The Al Thani Collection

The exhibition was centred around a unique bronze dish from The Al Thani Collection which shows both the pre-Islamic art of Egypt as well as the geometric layout of trays seen in the first centuries of Islam, and which is thought to be among the first works of art produced for a Muslim court. It was shown alongside a selection of closely related bronze objects from the Hermitage collections. The exhibition was curated by Dr. Anton Pritula of the State Hermitage Museum.

Treasures from The Al Thani Collection: Gems and Jewels of India and Masterpieces from a Royal Collection

This exhibition gave the Chinese public the first-ever opportunity to admire 270 jewels and gems as well as 290 rare and precious objects from The Al Thani Collection. The show of Gems and Jewels of India took visitors on an a spectacular trip through five centuries of remarkably refined artistic taste and perfected technique, represented by historic Indian diamonds and legendary jewels. The exhibition of Masterpieces from a Royal Collection included important works of art dating from antiquity through to the present day, and representing cultures from all around the world; highlights ranged from Greek, Roman, Chinese and Pre-Colombian artefacts to a group of 54 important pieces by Fabergé. The curators of the exhibition were Amin Jaffer, Senior Curator of The Al Thani Collection and Wang Yuegong from the Palace Museum.

From the Great Mughals to the Maharajas: Jewels from The Al Thani Collection

The Grand Palais exhibition enabled visitors to immerse themselves in the jewellery traditions of the Indian subcontinent, from the Mughal period to the modern day, all displayed in an evocative and ethereal setting. The evolution of gem-setting and jewellery was shown through 250 exceptional pieces from The Al Thani Collection, together with major works on loan from prestigious institutions and private collections. Famous historic Indian diamonds, spectacular precious objects and legendary pieces of jewellery were brought together to represent the evolution of taste and technique in India’s jewelled arts over five centuries.

Bejewelled Treasures: The Al Thani Collection

This exhibition showcased over one hundred jewels, jewelled artefacts and jades from The Al Thani Collection, alongside three prestigious loans from the Royal Collection. The pieces ranged in date from the early 17th century to the present day, and were made in the Indian subcontinent or inspired by India. They included spectacular precious stones and jades made for Mughal emperors, highlighting the exceptional skills of goldsmiths within the Indian subcontinent. The more recent pieces also demonstrated that cross-cultural exchanges continue to inspire contemporary jewellery design in India and Europe.