Routledge - Private Collectors of Islamic Art in London Book

Explore the history of art collecting through this detailed study of late nineteenth-century London. This book investigates the British fascination with Persian art, a term used during that era to describe a wide range of Islamic art. From ceramics and metalwork to carpets, textiles, and woodwork, the text examines how these objects were acquired and valued. Starting with the first exhibition of "Persian and Arab Art" held by a London Gentlemen's Club in 1885, the author traces the lives of a single generation of men. The work looks at the different roles played by amateurs, connoisseurs, experts, and collectors. It provides a deep look into the social mechanisms that built a collective interest in the Orient during this period. This volume is a significant addition for anyone interested in the histories of material culture and the evolution of collecting practices between 1700 and 1950.