6The Gezira Museum is regionally distinguished for its 4288-piece collection of wonderful items and exhibits which were confiscated in royal palaces. For instance, the museum has a big collection of Bohemian gilt glassware in the eastern style, enamelled glassware in the Islamic style dating back to the 11th and 18th centuries in Egypt, and a collection of Roman and French glassware copying the Islamic design. The museum also distinguished itself in the Middle East by exhibiting a variety of ceramics (Islamic, Egyptian, Persian, Damascus and Bukhary). In addition, there is a no less fascinating collection of ceramics produced by Graeco Roman, Russian and Turkish artisans. The museum’s exhibits also include a number of China porcelains made in different ages.On the other hand, the Gezira Museum has a big collection of tapestry and batiks woven by Coptic artisans in the 5th, 6th and 7th centuries. The invaluable exhibits also include Islamic tapestries and Persian carpets made by skilled weavers in Isfahan, Kharasan and Samarkand. There is also a 18th century’s Belgian Gobelin tapestry and 19th century’s French tapestry. The Mameluk crafts are represented by beautiful chandeliers, incense-burners and trays made in Egypt, Mosul in Iraq and China.European icons of painting and sculpture such as Renoir, Rodin, Delacroix, Monet, Degas and Robens, are represented in the Geizra Museum, which is situated inside al-Nasr Saray in Gezira Ground (presently the Cairo Opera House). the museum, which was built in 1936, was first opened on August 25, 1957.