Pearls of Wisdom: The Arts of Islam at the University of Michigan

Introduction

The exhibition Pearls of Wisdom highlights the richness and diversity of Islamic art through a range of artworks held in the collections of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Objects include ceramics, glasswares, metalwares, woodwork, textiles, illustrated manuscripts, and paintings. These items highlight how patrons, artists, and other individuals have used the expressive arts in order to promote social order and spiritual harmony in both secular and religious spheres. They also reveal how the visual arts help envision and implement a harmonious order of living in various Islamic cultures from the seventh century until the present day.