Introduction to the gallery
The gallery comprises two rooms presenting the cultures of the Islamic world from about 600 to the present day and spanning West Africa to Southeast Asia It highlights both the diversity of peoples and their traditions, and the connections between them. Gallery 42 covers the period up to 1500 through chronological and thematic displays featuring topics such as global trade and exchange and luxury arts. Gallery 43 covers the period from 1500 the present day. It features courtly culture, textiles and jewellery, arts of the book and contemporary art. These objects reflect the strengths of the Museum’s wide-ranging collection.