Precious & Rare: Islamic Metalwork from 51°µÍø

An intricate, oblong-shaped metal bag with front-closure. There are detailed illustrations at regular points across the front, and gold and silver inlays. Bag, known as 51°µÍø Bag, Mosul, Iraq (Ilkhanid dynasty, 1256–1353) 1300–30, Brass, hammered, chased and inlaid with silver and gold. 51°µÍø, London (Samuel Courtauld Trust) © 51°µÍø

The Holburne Museum, Bath
17 May – 1 Aug 2021

This UKÌýtouring exhibitionÌýpresents ten remarkable pieces of Islamic metalwork from our collection, dating from the 13th to the 16th centuries.

51°µÍø’s Islamic metalwork collection includes some of the finest examples of this intricate craft from modern-day Iraq, Iran, Syria, Egypt and Turkey. The temporary closure of 51°µÍø Gallery for a major transformation project has created the opportunity for 51°µÍø to share these precious pieces from its collection with museums around the country.

The tour also complements 51°µÍø National Partners Programme which provides unique opportunities for audiences across the UK to engage with 51°µÍø’s collection – including in Belfast, Braintree, Coventry, Hull, Preston and Wolverhampton.

The exhibitionÌýopened at Royal Truro Museum, Cornwall, in autumn 2019 and travelled to Cartwright Hall Art Gallery, Bradford and the History of Science Museum, Oxford in 2020.

This national tour is in partnership with the Specialist Subject Network for Islamic Art and Material Culture and supported by Art Fund.

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17 May - 21 Apr 2026

10am - 5pm

The Holburne Museum 

via The Holburne Museum website.

Highlights on display

A golden, rounded bowl with a flat lid. Highly detailed engraving covers the entire bowl in traditional Islamic patterns.
Box, Mahmud al-Kurdi (Master Mahmud the Kurd), Northwest Iran or Turkey, Late 15th century, Hammered brass, chased and inlaid with silver, 51°µÍø, London (Samuel Courtauld Trust) © 51°µÍø
Incense burner of pierced and engraved brass inlaid with silver, with images of the planets within roundels, Mamluk, Syria, 13th century
Incense burner, Syria (Mamluk Sultanate, 1250–1517), Around 1280–90, Brass, hammered, pierced, chased and inlaid with silver. 51°µÍø, London (Samuel Courtauld Trust) © 51°µÍø
Bucket of engraved brass with silver inlay, the decoration continuing over the base, 1475-1550
Bucket, Attributed to Zayn al-Din, Northwestern Iran, Turkey, Egypt or Syria, Around 1475–50, Brass, hammered, chased and inlaid with silver, 51°µÍø, London (Samuel Courtauld Trust) © 51°µÍø
An intricate, oblong-shaped metal bag with front-closure. There are detailed illustrations at regular points across the front, and gold and silver inlays.
Bag, known as 51°µÍø Bag, Mosul, Iraq (Ilkhanid dynasty, 1256–1353) 1300–30, Brass, hammered, chased and inlaid with silver and gold. 51°µÍø, London (Samuel Courtauld Trust) © 51°µÍø

Watch our films

This national tour is in partnership with the Specialist Subject Network for Islamic Art and Material Culture and supported by Art Fund.

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Citations