The Al Thani Collection at the Hôtel de la Marine presents an exhibition examining how, in different eras and across various regions of the world, cultures have been fascinated by the animal kingdom and drawn inspiration from it.
Through more than 120 works from the Al Thani Collection, many of which are being shown in Paris for the first time, the exhibition explores representations of real and imaginary creatures from civilisations spanning four continents, from the 3rd millennium BC to the early 20th century.
Among the highlights are a Laconian bronze votive statuette of a horse from the Geometric period (Greece, 750-730 BC), an imposing tiger-shaped belt buckle (daigou) made in China during the Warring States period (475-221 BC), a cane handle in the form of a serpent's head created by the house of Fabergé (circa 1890), as well as a wooden sculpture depicting the primordial bird of Senufo cosmogony (circa 1900).
Affiche de l'exposition ; Crédits : Collection Al Thani