'Beyond the Palace Walls: Islamic Art from the State Hermitage Museum' is the summer exhibition at the Royal Museum, Edinburgh, from 14 July to 5 November 06 - exquisite objects that are usually housed within the walls of the Winter Palace in St Petersburg and originally graced the royal interiors of Shahs, Sultans and Princes in Iran, Turkey and other parts of the Muslim world. The exhibition also features material from the collections of the National Museums of Scotland. Beyond enchanting the reader with the enticing diversity and beauty of the priceless objects, the catalogue shows how Islamic art is the unique product of a civilisation that was willing and enthusiastic to interact with and absorb the artistic impulses from other cultures both to the East and the West. The splendid centerpiece is an 18th century Ottoman Turkish campaign tent, never seen outside the State Hermitage before. It was chosen to represent the splendour with which Muslim rulers chose to surround themselves when they were on the move beyond the palace walls of their capitals and royal cities.
This is featured in the catalogue along with paintings, textiles, jewellery, tiles, costumes, carpets and weapons. The pictures of the exhibits appear among the text which, after a Preface on Islamic Art, is divided into four parts: Early Islamic Art/Chinese Influence; Prevailing/European Influence; Prevailing/Diplomacy, Warfare and Trade; and, the Muslim World and Russia.