Where on Art...?

An extraordinary exhibition of Spanish Damascene Metalwork spanning from 1850-1900 is presently in Malta. This selection of beautiful artefacts forms part of the world-famous Khalili Collection originated by Nasser David Khalili. Khalili, an Iranian born billionaire resident in the UK, academic, art collector and philanthropist. Over the years, he accumulated an astonishing collection of art works from very specific periods and regions namely – The Arts of the Islamic World (700-1900), Japanese Art of the Meiji Period (1868-1912), Swedish Textiles (1700-1900) and Enamels of the World (1700-2000). It is estimated that the entire collection, including also the Spanish Damascened Metalwork,  totals some 25,000 irreplaceable objects. Parts of these collections have travelled around the world to be showcased in some of the world’s most distinguished museums and this time it is Malta’s turn to enjoy some of these treasures thanks to the initiative of Heritage Malta.

Many of the exhibits were created by  Placido Zuloaga (1834 – 1910). Zuloaga lived in the Basque region of Spain, an area famous for its production of arms. In fact Zuloaga started out in his father’s gun factory eventually transforming it into one dedicated to creating Damascened art creations.  

  

Metal Magic  - Spanish Treasures from the Khalili Collections will be exhibited at the National Museum of Archaeology, Valletta, Malta until April 29, 2012. 

Read more about the Khalili Collections.