Louvre Abu Dhabi’s Internationally Acclaimed Exhibition, 10,000 Years of Luxury Travels to Paris

The key artefacts, including the Abu Dhabi Pearl, will be displayed in the Paris edition.

Visitors had a chance to experience 10,000 Years of Luxury at Louvre Abu Dhabi that concluded on 18 February. Following its international acclaim and success in the UAE, the exhibition will travel to the Musee des Arts Decoratifs in Paris, offering new audiences the opportunity to experience this fascinating exploration of luxury throughout various time periods and cultures. 100 of the show's objects will be on view at the Musee des Arts Decoratifs from 23 April to 6 September 2020.

The exhibition was organised by Louvre Abu Dhabi, Musee des Arts Decoratifs and Agence France-Museums, curated by Olivier Gabet, Director of Musee des Arts Decoratifs and sponsored by Tryano, the only luxury department store in Abu Dhabi.

Manuel RabatÃ©, Director of Louvre Abu Dhabi, commented: "10,000 Years of Luxury was a landmark event for us this year. The international exhibition was our largest to date and the first presentation on the history of luxury in the Middle East. Exquisitely curated by Olivier Gabet and featuring loans from renowned institutions, 10,000 Years of Luxury speaks to the high calibre of Louvre Abu Dhabi's exhibitions and our role as an incubator of new ideas. We are delighted that the show's widespread success has meant another edition has evolved for Paris."

10,000 Years of Luxury explores the multifaceted nature of luxury from ancient times to the present day. Featuring 350 extraordinary objects from the fields of fashion, jewellery, art, furniture, and design, the show looks at the various ways different cultures have interpreted luxury throughout history: from golden furniture fit for royalty to the iconic couture of luxury fashion houses such as Christian Dior, Chanel, Cartier, Balenciaga, and Hermes. Drawing on the collections of the Musee des Arts Decoratifs, and other French museums, this exhibition offers a rare chance to revel in and evaluate true luxury.

Among the key artefacts travelling to the Musee des Arts Decoratifs is the Abu Dhabi Pearl, the oldest pearl in the world dating back to c. 5,800 - 5,600 BCE. Discovered on Marawah Island, Abu Dhabi in 2017, the pearl is on loan from the collection of the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi.

Installation view from the exhibition / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

Abu Dhabi Pearl is the oldest pearl in the world dating back to c. 5,800 - 5,600 BCE. Discovered on Marawah Island, Abu Dhabi in 2017, from the collection of the Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

Installation view from the exhibition / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

Basin, signed Dawud ibn Salama al Mawsli, Iraq (Mosul) or Syria, 1252/53. Copper alloy with incised decoration, inlaid with silver, gold and black compound / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

Cup with saucer, India, 18th century. jade, inlaid gold and silver wire, emeralds, rubies, and glass set in gold / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

L. Matching necklace and earrings, Portugal, 18th century. R. Ornament for a bodice, France, early 18th century. Collection from Paris, Musee des Arts Decoratifs / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

Lenders to the exhibition include: Musee des Arts Decoratifs de Paris; Musee du Louvre, Musee du quai Branly-Jacques Chirac; Louvre Abu Dhabi; Zayed National Museum; Musee Yves Saint Laurent Paris; La Fondation des Artistes; BACCARAT; Cartier Collection; Direction du patrimoine CHANEL; Collection Chaumet, Paris; Chloe Archive, Paris; Maison Christian Louboutin; Christian Dior Couture; ELIE SAAB; Givenchy; Maison Guerlain; Hermes; Maison Alaea; Herve Van der Straeten; HG Timepiece - Switzerland; Mellerio; PIERRE HARDY; Maison Rabih Kayrouz; Maison Schiaparelli; Maison Van Cleef & Arpels; Victoire de Castellane, Fleurs d'es collection; Studio YMER&MALTA. Scenography of the exhibition is by studio Adrien Gardare.