Qatar Museums (QM) proudly announces the upcoming exhibition Wonders of Imperial Carpets: Masterpieces from the Museum of Islamic Art, Doha, to be held at the Hong Kong Palace Museum (HKPM) from 18 June to 6 October 2025. Co-organised by the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) and the HKPM, this landmark event marks the first exhibition in Hong Kong to explore the artistic and cultural exchanges between Islamic and Chinese civilisations.
The exhibition will showcase approximately 100 extraordinary objects, including imperial carpets, ceramics, manuscripts, metalwork, and jades, with most pieces drawn from the MIA’s renowned collection. The display will also feature objects from the Palace Museum in Beijing and the HKPM, highlighting the artistic exchanges that took place across the Safavid dynasty (1501–1736), Mughal dynasty (1526–1857), and Ottoman dynasty (1299–1923), shaped by diplomacy, migration, and trade.
Shaika Nasser Al Nassr, Director of the Museum of Islamic Art, said: “The Museum of Islamic Art is honoured to collaborate with the Hong Kong Palace Museum to bring these remarkable artifacts from our collections to new audiences. Wonders of Imperial Carpets highlights not only the exceptional artistry and craftsmanship of the Safavid, Mughal, and Ottoman dynasties, but also the profound links that have bound Islamic and Chinese cultures for centuries. Such collaborations are a true reflection of longstanding dialogues between our regions and serve as an important legacy of the Years of Culture initiative.”
The exhibition represents a pioneering collaboration between MIA and HKPM and will feature some of the most precious and iconic artefacts from the MIA collection, many of which are being displayed outside of Qatar for the first time. It provides visitors with a unique opportunity to explore the richness and sophistication of Islamic art, particularly through the lens of its most celebrated medium – carpets. Aside from architecture, carpets are among the largest and most enduring forms of Islamic artistic expression.
Dr Louis Ng, Director of the HKPM, commented: “Wonders of Imperial Carpets marks the first time similar exhibitions is being staged outside of Qatar, incorporating a new curatorial concept and is enriched by the unique storyline of cultural exchange between China and the Islamic world. This approach demonstrates the HKPM’s commitment to advancing dialogue among civilisations. The Islamic world, at different points in history, stretches from the Mediterranean in the West to Southeast Asia and further East, its art and culture continue to inspire societies and cultures across the world today. It is an immense privilege for us to present this special exhibition and share the captivating stories of the arts of the Islamic world with our visitors.”
Organised in four thematic sections, the exhibition explores imperial carpet production across Safavid Iran, Mughal India, Ottoman Turkiye, and China from the 16th to 18th centuries. It also highlights the interconnectedness between various Islamic art forms, including ceramics, miniature painting, bookbinding, and metalwork.
Wonders of Imperial Carpets marks a significant milestone in Qatar Museums’ ongoing commitment to cultural exchange and international collaboration. Through initiatives like this, QM continues to share the richness of its collections with global audiences, promoting broader appreciation for Islamic art and heritage.
The exhibition is part of the Years of Culture initiative, a year-long programme fostering mutual respect and understanding through long-term cultural, social, and economic partnerships between Qatar and other nations. It also represents a key collaborative achievement following the memorandum of understanding signed between QM and HKPM during the first Hong Kong International Cultural Summit, organised by the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority in 2024.
