More than a survey, this three-volume showcase celebrates the traditions and contemporary life of one of the world's most ancient civilizations, with 1250 color photographs and plates (up to 18 x 12 inches) and captions and essays by leading Iranian academics and art historians. These gorgeous books cover every aspect of Iran's art and culture, from the 2500-year-old Pazyryk Carpet to the magnificent Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, from the Sassanian reliefs at Parsargadae through contemporary wall painting in Tehran. The catalog also underscores how ancient traditions still affect the life and customs of present-day Iran in almost every sphere of human activity, including sculpture, painting, tile work, jewelry, carpet making, gardening, architecture and engineering, science and medicine, philosophy and folklore, and in the enduring importance of poetry.