Transformed: Medieval Syrian and Iranian Art in the Early 20th Century

In the early 20th century, the arts of medieval Iran and Syria attracted unprecedented interest in the West. Demand by museums and collectors—especially for figural and highly decorated works— promoted commercial and research excavations, and led to the custom of repairing, filling in, and enhancing fragmentary and deteriorated examples.The exhibition will consider the legacy of such practices 100 years later, as it compares archaeological artifacts with those that were refurbished, forged, or imitated.

Credit: Exhibition Overview from the Metropolitan Museum website