Rare Ottoman artefacts to go on display in Sharjah

An ornate saddle from the early Ottoman period is one of many artefacts on show in Sharjah. Courtesy Sharjah Museums Department

SHARJAH // Rare Islamic artefacts that have never before been seen in the Arab world will be shown for the first time at the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilisation.

The collection of pieces originate from the 16th and 17th century in Hungary and the Budapest Museum of Applied Arts will display the examples of early Ottoman craftsmanship, including embroidered luxury textiles, bejewelled ceremonial weapons and elaborately crafted horse saddles.

The Ottoman masterpieces, which arrived in Hungary as tokens of diplomacy through trade or war booty, will present visitors with a window into the powerful and sophisticated lives of Ottoman and Hungarian elites some 500 years ago.

Manal Ataya, director general of Sharjah Museums Department, said: “We have worked closely together to choose items exclusively for this exhibition from the museum’s extensive and internationally acknowledged collection, and visitors are sure to find much to fascinate and inspire them.”

The exhibition will run from October 26 to January 19, 2017.