Département des Arts de l'Islam du Musée du Louvre

The Department of Islamic Art at the Louvre Museum in Paris, France, offers some of the finest examples of Islamic art in the world. It contains roughly 5,000 works, ranging from the 8th century up to the 19th century, brought together from Northern Africa, the Middle East, and Central and South Asia. Works in the collection include carpets, ceramics, jewelry, textiles, illuminated manuscripts and calligraphic panels. Some of the highlights of the collection include an astrolabe from 12th-century Iran, a Mamluk Quran, 17th-century carpets from India, a Mughal manuscript, and a Chinese puzzle ball. Moreover, the museum adds an audio-guide to the gallery, which tells stories about some of the works in detail. Visitors can also attend a free lecture by one of the curators at the museum. Hence, the Department of Islamic Art at the Louvre Museum is a must-see destination for anyone interested in the art of Islam.