Free Exhibition

Sufi life and art

Sufi life and art

Final weeks

Free

British Museum

Sufi life and art

Exhibition

Dates: 27 October 2025 – 26 July 2026
Location: Room 43a, The Albukhary Foundation Gallery of the Islamic World
Opening Hours: Daily: 10.00–17.00
Admission: Free

Welcome to the exhibition exploring Sufi life and art! The word Sufi often conjures up images of Turkish whirling dervishes, turning gracefully in a mystical ceremony. But outside the world of Islamic mysticism, not much is known of the beliefs and practices in which such ceremonies are rooted or about the communities that embrace them.

This display will explore Sufi life and art through a selection of objects representing Sufi communities in the Middle East, North and Sub-Saharan Africa, and northern India. This mystical movement, which first appeared in the Islamic world during the eighth century AD, is defined as a pathway to a personal experience with God.

Among the British Museum objects on display will be Islamic artifacts imbued with Sufi connotations, including alms bowls linked to dervishes and subtle connections like calligraphic works, miniature paintings, and wall tiles. Sufis come from all walks of life, crossing class, ethnicity, and regional boundaries. Our exploration will include themes such as mystical love, poverty, asceticism, and Sufi influence on wider societies.

Highlights

  1. Ceramic tile An ornately patterned, brightly coloured blue, yellow and red 17th-18th century Turkish ceramic tile.

  2. Glazed pottery bowl A bright blue and white glazed pottery bowl.

  3. Reed ney (flute) A thin flute with six holes made from a reed.

  4. Painting of the Haft awrang (Seven thrones) of Jami A colour illustrated page from a Sufi manuscript with seated figures being served by a standing figure.

  5. Painting of Ibrahim Bin Adham visited by angels Sufi painting depicting Ibrahim Bin Adham visited by angels

  6. Painting of Islamic saints and devotees Six bearded men, five in head wear, one bear-headed, seated on a rug with religious trappings.

  7. Folios from a Sufi prayer book Two pages of a prayer book with Arabic writing.

  8. Brass kashkul (begging bowl) A curved engraved brass bowl.

  9. Painting of a dervish with a kashkul (begging bowl) A Dervish wearing traditional dress blowing a horn and holding a begging bowl.

  10. Ana al-Haqq (I am The Truth) silkscreen print I am The Truth by Kamal Boullata - an orange silkscreen print with a gold coloured geometric pattern.

Additional Information

  • View large print guide: here
  • Sign up for exhibition updates: here

Join us for an exploration of the rich heritage of Sufi art and life. Don't miss out!

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