ParsaCommunityFoundation

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art is unique among American art museums in that it collects and regularly exhibits Iranian art from the 5th millennium BC up to the present day. This collection is housed in the Art of the Middle East Department, under the direction of department head Dr. Linda Komaroff. The collection is divided between the department’s two collecting areas: ancient art (up to the 7th century AD) and art of the Islamic era (7th century AD onward). In 2008, PARSA CF awarded LACMA a $12,000 grant to support assistant curator Dr. Ali Mousavi, who is responsible for the ancient component of the collection and Komaroff for the art of the Islamic era. In each instance these are the only such significant collections on the West coast.

Highlights in the collection from ancient Iran include Iron Age pottery from Tepe Sialk, carved stone relief fragments from Persepolis and gilt silver vessels from the Parthian and Sasanian dynasties. The collection pertaining to the Islamic era presents a far more comprehensive picture of Iranian art spanning all media. Among the most notable works of art are glazed ceramic pottery and tiles, miniature paintings, and two rare 16th-century Persian carpets.

During the 2008-09 academic year, the Ancient Near Eastern galleries were visited by nearly 10,000 students. Dr. Mousavi also held lectures about Pasargadae and the American contribution to the archaeology of Iran, in addition to publications highlighting the archaeology of Iranian artifacts. Given the significance of LACMA’s collection and in light of the large Iranian Diaspora community of Southern California, the Ancient Near Eastern galleries and the exhibitions and programs they provide are of enormous benefit not only to the Iranian-American community but to all the communities LACMA serves.