Introduction

The Reza Abbasi Museum in Tehran, located on Shariati Street, is one of Iran’s most prominent museums. Named after the renowned Safavid painter Reza Abbasi, it opened in 1977. The museum showcases an extensive collection of artworks spanning from the first millennium BC to the Qajar era. At the entrance, visitors can admire a beautifully crafted logo carved above the door, designed by Morteza Momayez, a founding member of the Iranian Graphic Design Society and a descendant of Reza Abbasi. The museum is currently managed by the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts, and Tourism of Iran.

Halls of Reza Abbasi Museum

The museum is a three-story building, and tours typically begin on the third floor, moving downward through the halls. It houses over 50,000 items representing various historical eras.

Pre-History Hall

This hall features works from the first millennium BC, as well as the Sassanid, Parthian, and Achaemenid periods. Visitors can view ceramics and metal objects with elegant, nature-inspired designs, originating from regions such as Azerbaijan, Shush, and Lorestan.

Islamic Art Halls 1 & 2

These halls display artifacts from the Seljuk, Timurid, and Safavid periods, including pottery vessels, metal objects, architectural elements, jewelry, and textiles. Additionally, items from the Qajar period, such as pencil cases and book covers, are exhibited.

Calligraphy Hall

The Calligraphy Hall showcases manuscripts from the Islamic period, featuring Kufic, Naskh, and Thuluth scripts on pages of the Holy Quran and other historical texts. These manuscripts provide insight into the evolution of Islamic calligraphy.

Miniature Hall

The Miniature Hall exhibits paintings from various Islamic periods, including works from the earliest centuries of Islam. The highlight of this collection is the oldest leaf of the Great Mongol Shahnameh, dating back to the 8th century AH.

Additional Facilities

The museum includes:

  • Workshop and Laboratory: Dedicated to the maintenance and restoration of artworks, manuscripts, and paintings.

  • Library: Houses 10,000 volumes in English, Persian, French, and German, covering historical artifacts and art history.

Visiting Hours

  • First six months of the year: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM

  • Second six months of the year: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Visiting the Reza Abbasi Museum offers an unparalleled journey through Iran’s rich artistic heritage, from ancient artifacts to exquisite Islamic art.

For more detailed information about the Reza Abbasi Museum in Tehran, you can explore this external article: Reza Abbasi Museum – Wikipedia.