5,000 years of Iranian artefacts on show in London's Victoria & Albert museum

London's Victoria & Albert (V&A) museum has put on display from ancient sculptures to contemporary photographs and objects spanning 5,000 years of Iranian art, culture, and design.

Titled ‘Epic Iran’, the show, which was opened to public on May 29, features more than 300 items from ancient, Islamic, and contemporary Iran, including manuscripts, ceramics, carpets, textiles as well as photos.

The exhibition is made up of 10 sections. The organizers say the sections are expected to transport visitors to “a city, complete with gatehouse, gardens, palace, and library”.

‘Epic Iran’ is the first such major exhibition in Britain in 90 years. Artifacts on show either collected over time by the museum or on loan, include ancient relics such as the Cyrus Cylinder and Lion Rhyton as well as more contemporary items like Shirin Aliabadi's photograph of a woman blowing bubblegum.

The ‘Land of Iran’ is one of the sections with striking imagery of the country's dramatic and varied landscapes – all of which have shaped the country's social, economic, and political history.

Also, ‘Last of the Ancient Empires’, ‘The Book of Kings’, ‘Modern and Contemporary Iran’ make other sections of the exhibition.

‘Epic Iran’ will last until August 2021.

MM/FM