Display of seals from Islamic world

The Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia (IAMM), in association with the British Library and the British Museum, will be holding an exhibition called “Lasting Impressions: Seals from the Islamic World” from Sept 27 to Jan 27 next year.


The exhibition will showcase the IAMM’s collection of Islamic seal matrices and manuscripts bearing seal impressions. On display, for the first time are more than 80 artefacts, which reveal the beauty and significance of the art of the seal in the Islamic world. The exhibition will be launched by Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah.

Exhibition venue: The Islamic Arts Museum is located adjacent to KL’s National Mosque.

It will be divided into four major sections. The first section uncovers the beginning of the seal culture in Islam. This is followed by a study of the significance of inscriptions and decorations. In the third section, considerable attention will be given to the different functions of seals, reflecting on how and where they were used.

The exhibition is concluded with a special emphasis on the seal culture of South-East Asia, particularly its courtly connotation as well as the history, aesthetics and symbolism of Malay seals. Seal matrices, made of semi-precious stones or metal, are among the tiniest artefacts found in museums and private collections. They are also cherished as very valuable personal possessions.

On the other hand, seal impressions are normally found in manuscript volumes or documents such as marriage certificates, commercial interactions or waqf deeds.They are used for a variety of purposes, such as proof of a person’s consent or a symbol of authority and ownership.

 
Seals from the Islamic world are also decorative and talismanic, reflecting religious invocations and good wishes. Whether owned by a commoner, high-ranking official or ruler, each of these seals has left a lasting impression. They are a testimony of the people who commissioned and used them, as well as an enduring historical record of the Islamic civilisations in which they were produced.

The IAMM is also supporting and publishing a scholarly book entitled Lasting Impressions: Seals from the Islamic World authored by two renowned experts in the field, Dr Annabel Gallop of the British Library and Dr Venetia Porter of the British Museum.

This book was initiated following a travelling photographic exhibition of the same title, which was put together by the British Library and the British Museum in 2010.
-thestar online.