The Classical and Decorative Arts of the Islamic World
- Lifestyles
- Travel & Leisure
- Travel Destinations
Author: Mary Beardwood
Released 23 July 2005
British Museum Brochure
Photograph Contributed by Mary Beardwood
As a tourist to London, one of the essential ports-of-call is to the British Museum. Its magnificent building houses one of the world’s greatest collection of antiquities from all over Asia, and it throngs with visitors from the moment the doors open each day, until they close again at night.
What is not so well known is that a huge range of courses are held there, enabling students to go behind the scenes, and participate in the wealth of knowledge that has been gathered about their collections.
The one that caught my eye was The British Museum Diploma in Asian Art run in conjunction with the University of London. Little did I know as I picked up the brochure that I was embarking on one of the most exciting experiences that is on offer to anyone with a love of learning. The brochure told me what choices I could make. There were units dealing with China, India, Japan and Korea, South East Asia and the Islamic World. Each lasted twelve weeks, and you could choose any combination. With my long association with the Islamic world I eagerly scanned the programme.
“From the 7th century AD to the present day this course explores the origin and the evolution of the arts produced in the Muslim world; architecture, arts of the book, ceramics and metalwork….”the list went on and on and I knew I wanted to find a way to do it. Arranging my place wasn’t difficult; after a short interview I was on the list; finding accommodation in London for four days a week was a little more difficult, and persuading my sailing husband that I needed some time to commit to it was also tricky! However April arrived, and I set off with my suitcase wondering if a ‘retired lady’ was going to fit in.
I needn’t have worried. The other 11 participants came from all age groups, and many different countries. Our very full schedule was laid out before us, starting with a lecture on what Islamic art meant to the craftsmen and patrons who had worked together to create it over many centuries, from all parts of a huge empire. We were going to explore their mindset, unified as they were by their reverence for God, the creator.
In addition to the arts thread of the programme, we had equal amounts of history, hearing about the rise and fall of dynasties, the influence of the China trade, and the eventual expansion of the Mughals into Northern India. We had wonderful lecturers, visited other museums and auction houses, such as Christies and Sotheby’s, had ‘hands-on’ sessions when we passed around pieces of artwork hundreds of years old. The highlight was a trip to the Islamic gallery of the Louvre, in Paris.
All too soon the programme was over, but I am hoping that I can produce an Islamic art book for children now. The educational books I have seen so far have concentrated on pattern making, which is an important area, but there is so much more to give delight. The detail in illustrated manuscripts, the craftsmanship in scientific instruments, and the beautiful lusterware glazes on the ceramics to name but a few.
If you would like to find out more about these courses contact; Dr. Hettie Elgood, the Course Director. Email: helgood@thebritishmuseum.ac.uk.
What better way to have an extended stay in London, meet a new group of friends, and get hooked on all the benefits that increasing your knowledge of world cultures has to offer.
Mary Beardwood Email: mary.beardwood@ntlworld.com