Detailed, extraordinary and exotic are the few words that come to mind while walking through the collection. Each piece was unique from another, varying in size, shape, color and design used by the crafters. What astonished me was the care that was used in each piece, they resembled pieces that were machine made. It was astonishing to witness what people were able to accomplish using the most primitive tools. In Islamic arts the broad use of colors and shapes were displayed throughout the museum, no two pieces were the same as each seemed perfect. Since items could not be mass produced and would take a handsome amount of time to craft, I understood that items were made to last. People of this time could not go to a store and select from an inventory of items. Crafters would have to take their time into sculpting an item since resources were limited. In sense I pictured what artists and crafters went through during these times, their vision and portrayal of the final product would be embedded in their mind before starting a piece.
The Arabian Nights proves to be a fun read from the start, having stories within stories, leaves me feeling as I did while watching the film Inception. From each of the short stories, there lies a lesson to be taught to the reader. Each story uses intricate examples of animals, magic, betrayal, and love to get a lesson across to the reader, all while maintaining a fresh and fluid plot. While reading the novel, the use of swords rang a bell as I remembered seeing detailed/priceless swords in the museum. Gazing at them only begged me to wonder the story behind them. The use of a sword is a powerful decision, as the user has a variety of emotions and purpose to draw the sword. Another big reminder of the museum was the mention of the Quran, which was one of the most detailed documents I laid eyes on. The Quran proves important in the novel, as characters use it for prayer in preparation for death or worshipping God. In the museum the Quran was displayed multiple times, in a variety of colors and sizes. It goes to show the importance of the Quran in Islamic culture, as it is almost a way of life.