London, England, July 18, 2006--Prince Charles will open the Jameel Gallery of Islamic Art at the Victoria and Albert Museum on Tuesday, and the world's oldest dated carpet, and one of the largest, will be among the highlights.
The gallery, which opens to the public on Thursday, will house treasures from the museum's collection of more than 10,000 Islamic objects.
It has been designed especially to show the Ardabil carpet, made in Iran in 1539 and measuring 10.5 by 5.0 metres, horizontally at floor level.
Estimated to have cost more than five million pounds, the new gallery was funded by a donation from Saudi Arabian businessman Mohammed Jameel, who has dedicated it to his parents.
Other highlights include a rock crystal ewer from 11th century Egypt and an ivory casket made in 11th century Spain, reflecting the sophistication of Islamic courts
The casket's decoration includes scenes of refined court life, with men drinking wine and enjoying the scent of flowers while listening to music.
