The Albukhary Foundation Gallery of the Islamic world
Rooms 42-43
The Albukhary Foundation Gallery of the Islamic world represents an exciting new vision, displayed across two magnificent refurbished galleries at the heart of the British Museum. The British Museum’s Islamic collection comprises a broad and diverse spectrum of the material culture produced from the seventh century to the present day in the Islamic world, a series of regions stretching from West Africa to Southeast Asia. From archaeological material to contemporary art, from the paintings and vessels made for royal patrons to the evocative objects of daily life, this new Gallery brings together the stories of interconnected worlds across time and geography.
The British Museum’s Albukhary Foundation Gallery of the Islamic world, and this website, was made possible thanks to a generous donation from the Albukhary Foundation. We are grateful to the Trustees of the Foundation and its chairman, Syed Mokhtar Albukhary, and for the support of Syed Mohamed Albukhary, Director of the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia.
Making of the gallery
Find out more about how the new Islamic gallery was created from members of the project team and our partners.
The story of the collection
Explore how the objects came into the collection at the British Museum.
Science, conservation and research
Learn about the vital role of the British Museum’s science, conservation and research teams in the display of the new gallery.
Explore video and audio
The Islamic world
This film celebrates the breadth and diversity of Islamic culture across the world and through time. Focusing on people, places and objects to give context to the stories told in the Albukhary foundation galleries of the Islamic world.
The story of Samarra
The Iraqi city of Samarra has a long and exciting history of excavation and exploration.
Lustre production
Lustre was an important technique across the Islamic world used on glass and ceramics.
The British Museum has created, developed and sourced a wide range of publications and products inspired by The Albukhary Gallery of the Islamic World. Highlights of this collection include the two publications 'The Islamic world: A history in objects' and 'The making of the Albukhary Foundation Gallery of the Islamic world.'
