The Art of falconry from East to West - temporary exhibition at Museu do Oriente - The 28th of February 2016

I decided to head to Museu do Oriente on Sunday morning despite not knowing exactly what was on in there, as far as temporary exhibitions are concerned. I was soon pleased with the fact that for the price of one ticket I would be able to see three exhibitions, the art of falconry being the first one.

It comprised a wide variety of objects and artistic pieces therewith related, some of which I was told had not been exhibited before.

I felt it was particularly well organised in as much as it covered several periods of history, different approaches and displayed artistic artefacts, which I found to be of great value. 

Engraving from Encycoppedie Francaise - recueil de planches sur les sciences. les arts liberaux et les arts méchaniques by Diderot and d'Alembert - Paris, 1763 (left).

Canopy vase in alabaster  with a falcon-shaped lid containing the remains of a deceased person - Egypt - Lower period (left). 17th century Persian illustration (right).

Polychrome decorated ceramics depicting falconers on horseback - Iran, Qajar Dinasty - 19th century.

Polychrome porcelain plate - China -"Rose family" - 18th century.

Arab hunters - oil on canvas  - Alberto Pasini, Italy - 1865

Persian calligraphy (photographic reproduction) - Prayer adapted to the shape of a falcon - Mohamed Fathiab - late 17th century.

Falconer and his assistant  with two dogs - woolen tapestry - France (?) - 18th century.

Return from hunting - oil on canvas - Philips Wouwerman - 1640-1665

Ex-Libris with falconer.

The falconer - glazed tile panel by Henrique Costa Lopes Nunes - Santanna Factory - 1977

Falconry scene - glazed tile panel - 2nd quarter of the 18th century (1740-1750).

Quilt whose central theme is hunting - embroidered linen taffeta with polychrome silk thread - India (?) - 17th and 18th centuries.

Falconry across Arab countries, Uzbekisthan, Kyrgysthan, Japan, Taiwan, Pakistan and Portugal.

Having received due recognition from UNESCO with the importance of falconry being awarded the World Intangible Heritage classification this exhibition is undeniably a must.