This parapet well, from the collection of Lazaro Galdiano, is an example of the influence the Alhambra Palace had on art and collecting. Pieces from the Alhambra were among the most valued by European collectors, such as this marble well that probably came from the palace.

Collectors of Islamic art, including the Spanish collector Lázaro Galdiano, were interested in buying not only architectural fragments or ceramics but also jewellery, such as this piece. Its Nasrid-period provenance probably increased its value, because of its potential relationship to the Alhambra Palace.

The Spanish artist Mariano Fortuny (1871–1949) had a good knowledge of Islamic textiles and formed a collection, which inspired him. He designed many fabrics that followed the rich decorative schemes of Islamic designs.

A silver portable inkwell, decorated with Oriental motifs, consisting of an ink container and a compartment for keeping quills. It belonged to Romanian politician and writer Ion Ghica, who was Bey of Samos (1854–59).

Fragments of the minbar from the Mosque of Ibn Tulun in Cairo were exhibited at the World Trade Exhibition in Paris in 1867. Exhibition of objects like this promoted European museums’ interest in acquiring similar works.

The pen box was acquired by the British Museum in 1884, while Sir Augustus Wollaston Franks was Keeper of British and Medieval Antiquities and Ethnography. A collector himself, during his time as Keeper he acquired a number of objects for the BM as well as donating his personal collection to the museum.

The tankard was bought in 1883 by Philipp Haas, the founder of the factory Haas & Söhne, which produced carpets and furniture fabrics in Vienna in 1810. The industrialist made use of the museum’s collections as inspiration for his products.

The geomantic instrument, signed by the craftsman “Muhammad b. Khutlukh al-Mawsili” was acquired for the British Museum in 1888 by Sir Augustus Wollaston Franks.

The amulet is another object acquired for the British Museum by Sir Augustus Wollaston Franks in 1891.

Enamelled glass was particularly popular with collectors during the latter part of the 19th century. Gustav Schmoranz compiled this publication, in 1899, about enamelled glass in private and public collections.

The ivory plaque was bought by Antoni Benaki in 1919 from the Cairean dealer Maurice Nahman. Nahman provided objects to many of the most important collectors at the beginning of the 20th century.

Lázaro Galdiano was one of the most important Spanish art collectors. He was particularly interested in the Islamic art of Spain and bought many works of art from this period for his collection.

Many ceramics from İznik and Kutahya were collected by members of the Greek community in Egypt. Works were acquired through a network of dealers, such as Phokion Tano or Boghos Ispenian, whose names are sometimes shown on the objects.

The dossier of acquisitions from the beginning of the 20th century belonged to Antoni Benaki. Acquiring his collection while living in Egypt, when he moved to Greece in 1926, he continued to purchase works of art from dealers in Cairo.