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Hong Kong Palace Museum offers magic carpet ride from Islamic empires

The wonders of imperial carpets and Islamic arts in all their tufted splendour are making their way to Hong Kong

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The Shah Sulayman “hunting” carpet, a gift from the Safavids of Iran to the leader of the Republic of Venice in the late 17th century. Photo: courtesy The Museum of Islamic Art, Doha

Published: 12:28pm, 13 Jun 2025

We’re all familiar with Aladdin’s magic carpet, but have you ever wondered from which corner of the Islamic world it might hail? The Hong Kong Palace Museum’s latest exhibition might provide some clues.

Organised in collaboration with the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, Qatar, “Wonders of Imperial Carpets” presents around 100 masterpieces collected from the Safavid dynasty in Iran (1501-1736), Mughal dynasty in India (1526-1857) and Ottoman dynasty in Turkey (1299-1923), illustrating the rich cultural and artistic exchange that took place between epochs and regions.

Often crafted under royal patronage, imperial carpets were made using traditional Arab techniques and materials such as pashmina wool, silk and gold and silver thread, reflecting a cultural heritage dating back to at least the 7th century BC.

A mid-13th century silver-and-gold-inlaid brass basin, from the Ayyubid dynasty or the Mamluk Sultanate, Syria. Photo: courtesy The Museum of Islamic Art, Doha

The creation of these artefacts was a years-long process, employing highly skilled artisans and the finest materials and dyes sourced from across the Arab world. These carpets were not only functional but also served as symbols of power and artistic achievement, featuring elaborate patterns such as floral motifs, medallions and calligraphic elements that evolved over centuries. The most precious examples were treasured in royal households and used in ceremonial contexts, often being gifted to kings and emperors in acts of tribute and statecraft.

Also on display at the exhibition are the Shah Sulayman “hunting” carpet, a gift from the Safavids to Francesco Morosini, leader of the Republic of Venice in the late 17th century, and the Kevorkian Hyderabad carpet, which at almost 16 metres is one of the longest Islamic carpets in a museum collection anywhere in the world.

Around 100 treasures from the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha have been loaned to the Hong Kong Palace Museum. Photo: courtesy The Museum of Islamic Art, Doha

Other highlights include the Çintamani prayer rug from the Ottoman court, decorated with the auspicious çintamani motif, and a floral Xinjiang carpet from the Qianlong period (1735-1796).