Islamic art is renowned around the world for its unique, beautiful and exquisite floral, arabesque, geometric and calligraphic patterns. It encompasses a wide range of artistic forms, including architecture, calligraphy, painting, glass, ceramics and textiles.

Its origins can be traced back centuries, and it can be found adorning buildings, mausoleums, museums and palaces built by empires through the ages in the East and West.

The recently opened House of Islamic Arts in Jeddah is a unique museum in the Kingdom, containing more than a thousand precious historical exhibits from a number of countries. The items on display reflect the diversity of Islamic art from a range of eras.

The collections, sourced from international auctions and private collections, are the result of years of hard work and research.

The museum was founded by Saleh bin Hamza Serafi, a Saudi businessman, owner of the Mohammed Saleh Serafi Foundation, and a shareholder in Bank Albilad. It opened on Sep. 23 last year, after its license was granted by the CEO of the Saudi Museums Commission, Stefano Carboni.

Arab News