The opening of a new and fascinating exhibition of ancient and rare lamps, and objects of lighting, entitled ‘From Darkness to Light’ took place at the Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani Museum (FBQ Museum) on Thursday in the presence of Sheikh Khaled bin Faisal Al Thani, Anna Paolini, Director of Unesco Qatar and many Ambassadors to Qatar. The exhibition will run till August 29 at the Museum in Shahaniya, and opening times are 9am to 6pm, Sunday to Thursday.
The extensive Sheikh Faisal collection includes fine antique ceramic and ornate metal lamps, beautiful mosque lamps, candleholders, chandeliers and modern lamps from different parts of the ancient and medieval Islamic worlds and from other parts of central Asia and Europe. The exhibition highlights the tradition of using lamps specially made for Ramadan in Islamic societies. Candleholders and mosque lamps from the Islamic periods were also included, some richly inscribed with writing and religious texts.
All the lamps and lighting objects in the exhibition are documented with their origins described. Some of the lamps and lanterns hail from the late 19th century and the first half of the 20th century so that visitors can compare new techniques in lamp making with those of ancient times.The Peninsula
