This item has been added to the Database within the Explore Islamic Art Collections project. Information is available in: English, Arabic.

Name of Object:

Damascus Room

Location:

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Holding Museum:

Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia

About Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur

Date of Object:

Hegira 1235 / AD 1820-1821

Museum Inventory Number:

1998.2.342

Material(s) / Technique(s):

Carved wood paneling and ceilings with gesso relief decoration (called 'ajami) with marble mosaic floor

Dimensions:

400 x 900cm

Period / Dynasty:

Ottoman

Provenance:

Syria

Description:

This Ottoman-period Damascus room typifies a life of luxury in Ottoman Syria. Hospitality has always been central to the Muslim way of life; a room such as this would have been intended for entertaining honoured guests. This room identifies itself as a qa’a (hall), by being the largest and most lavishly decorated room in the house. The room itself is made of painted wood panels that compose the four walls and ceiling with a profusion of painted flowers, fruits and architectural scenes. Ornately decorated with motifs inspired with the Islamic Chinese and European tradition. The wooden panelling and ceilings of this interior are embellished with gesso relief decoration, called 'ajami, which is gilded, tin-leafed, glazed and painted to create a complex interplay of reflective or matte and intensely colored surfaces. The ceiling has three distinct chandelier-like ornaments.

Selected bibliography:

Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia, IAMM Guide Book, Kuala Lumpur: IAMM Publications, 2005 & 2014.
Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia, Volume 1, Kuala Lumpur: IAMM Publications, 2015: 118-121.

Citation of this web page:

 "Damascus Room" in Explore Islamic Art Collections. Museum With No Frontiers, 2026.
https://islamicart.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=object;EPM;my;Mus21;4;en

MWNF Working Number: MY1 04