The Arts of Persia & Other Countries of Islam   By: Hagop K. Kevorkian

SPECIAL EXHIBITION

THE ARTS OF PERSIA

& OTHER COUNTRIES OF ISLAM

H. KEVORKIAN COLLECTION

[Illustration]

FROM THURSDAY, APRIL TWENTY SECOND TO SATURDAY, MAY FIFTEENTH, INCLUSIVE ON THE ENTIRE THIRD FLOOR

THE ANDERSON GALLERIES 489 PARK AVENUE AT FIFTY NINTH STREET, NEW YORK 1926

THE ENTIRE THIRD FLOOR GALLERIES FROM THURSDAY, APRIL TWENTY SECOND TO SATURDAY, MAY FIFTEENTH, INCLUSIVE [OPEN WEEK DAYS, 9 6; SUNDAYS, 2 5 P.M.]

[Illustration: STUCCO BAS RELIEF, PAINTED IN POLYCHROME. EXCAVATED AT RAY (RHAGES) ANTERIOR TO THE XIITH CENTURY]

This exhibition has been arranged with a desire to meet the convenience of those who are interested in manifestations of the arts of different countries over which ISLAM held sway at one time or other in the past. An effort has been made to show under one roof representative examples of works produced at different epochs and stages of the civilizations referred to, so that they may be seen, and perhaps studied, with the minimum expenditure of time.

Fine examples of many branches of the arts of these peoples are in permanent exhibitions at the Metropolitan Museum, New York, and the museums of great cities throughout the country. It is difficult to find adequate words to describe the enchanting atmosphere of the halls at the Metropolitan Museum where Near Eastern art is installed; and the same can truly be said of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and the University of Pennsylvania Museum, Philadelphia. These exhibitions must inevitably contribute to the enjoyment and education of countless visitors to these institutions, and will continue to do so in increasing degree to the enjoyment of generations to come.

The present exhibition does not comprise a vast number of objects. Its claim to attention lies in the fact that it includes an important series of really first class works which are also of great historical importance. There will be on view as well some comparatively new types of objects of æsthetic and archæological interest, obtained as the result of recent excavations.

The briefness of time available precluded the possibility of compiling a catalogue, as was at first intended. The present booklet is issued to explain the scope of the exhibition, and extend a cordial invitation to visit it.

H.K.

[Illustration: MUHAMMAD (THE PROPHET) WITNESSES ALI (HIS SON IN LAW AND SUCCESSOR) DEFEAT AMR BEN ABDWAD]

One of the eight illustrations for a XIIIth Century Persian Manuscript entitled, "HISTORY OF TABARI", compiled A.H. 310 (A.D. 922). The present copy is a subsequent one of the Persian version, translated by AL B'ALA'MI, A.H. 352.

It is interesting to note that TABARI records in the book here referred to, that three messages were sent by MUHAMMAD to KHUSRAW PARNIZ, imparting the divine warnings. One of the messages, as recorded in an old Manuscript entitled NIHAYAT UL IRAB, reads: