Cairo's museums are home to some of the richest collections of Islamic art in the world. Long the seat of great dynasties, whose rulers and descendents both amassed and patronised works of art, Cairo's status as one of the wealthiest and most populous cities of the medieval world is reflected in the exquisite arts and crafts that make up its collections. Masterpieces of every medium are represented, including the decorative arts of ceramics, metalwork. textiles, woodwork, glass, carved stone and ivory, and the art of the book. This book is illustrated throughout with specially commissioned colour photographs.