Hong Kong’s first major Islamic art exhibition ‘Wonders of Imperial Carpets’, exhibits rare treasures, many seen outside of Qatar for the first time.
Hong Kong’s first major Islamic art exhibition aims to connect cultures and peoples both of whom ascend from thousands of years’ histories at the Hong Kong Palace Museum (HKPM) from June to 6 October 2025.
The exhibition, unveiled as ‘Wonders of Imperial Carpets: Masterpieces from the Museum of Islamic Art’, is showcasing the artistic and cultural links between Islamic and Chinese civilisations.
On loan from the Museum of Islamic Art, Doha, Wonders of Imperial Carpets highlights nearly 90 rare masterpieces from Safavid Iran, Ottoman Türkiye, and Mughal India.
This landmark exhibition marks one of the first major projects under the Qatar Museums–Hong Kong Palace Museum Memorandum of Understanding, signed during the inaugural Hong Kong International Cultural Summit in 2024.
Many of these artefacts are being displayed outside of Qatar for the first time.
At the heart of the exhibition is the colossal Kevorkian Hyderabad Carpet, a 17th-century Mughal masterpiece stretching nearly sixteen meters.
Woven for a sultan’s palace, its intricate geometric designs, mirrored vegetal motifs, and deep red tones evoke the grandeur of imperial India and the ceremonial splendour of Mughal durbars.
From Safavid Iran, the exhibition showcases the Shah Sulayman “Hunting” Carpet, a 450-year-old diplomatic gift to Venice’s Doge, richly woven with cloud-band motifs and mythical creatures reflecting Chinese influences.
Complementing it is the Royal Qur’an of Shah Sulayman Safavi, a masterwork of Islamic calligraphy and bookbinding created for the Safavid ruler.
Other significant highlights include rare Persian Shahnama folios, telling epic tales from the Book of Kings, and a finely crafted Ottoman inlaid wooden chest, once used to store courtly gifts and treasures.
Bridging cultures, the exhibition places Islamic and Chinese masterpieces side by side. A 13th-century Islamic silver-and-gold-inlaid brass basin is displayed alongside a similarly shaped Ming-dynasty floral porcelain basin, revealing artistic exchange between worlds. A Mughal jade bowl, elegantly inscribed with the Qianlong Emperor’s poem, speaks to imperial appreciation of Islamic artistry in China.
Ottoman Türkiye’s artistic heritage is represented by a mandorla prayer rug, patterned with the Prophet’s sandal and court motifs, highlighting devotional art and symbolic design.
Beyond these highlights, visitors can explore a wide range of Islamic artefacts including ceramics, miniature paintings, metalwork, jade objects, and examples of traditional bookbinding—each contributing to the rich tapestry of early modern Islamic art.
To deepen the experience, the HKPM features a digital recreation of the historic Damascus Room, an AR flying carpet experience, and a family-friendly discovery trail, inviting visitors of all ages to engage with this cultural journey.
Notes from the Editor: The Hong Kong Palace Museum is open from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday, and from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm on Friday, Saturday, and public holidays. It is closed on Tuesdays (except public holidays) and the first two days of the Lunar New Year. Visitors are encouraged to check the museum’s official website for the latest ticketing information and any updates.
