This visit allowed the participants to examine some of the ceramics we discussed in our gallery visit. We looked at closely at several lustre bowls from ‘Abbasid Iraq as well as a contemporary recreation by the British ceramicist, Alan Craiger-Smith. We also examined several Arabic and Persian manuscripts, focusing on the botanical elements in text and the painted page.

Two objects were pivotal in our discussions: the Dala’il al-Khayrat (Proof of Good Deeds) with images of Mecca and Medina that highlight the significance of the date palm tree; and the Qur’anic scrolls with verses inscribed inside leaves and flower petals.