The collection of objects on display in the Reza Abbasi Museum recalls an era that is unknown, mysterious, and full of the endeavors of humans for survival, fighting nature, gaining benefits and victory over the environment.

The museum opened in September 1977, but in November 1978, just one year after its official opening it was closed. Exactly a year later in 1979, having had changes in its internal decorations and with further expansion of its exhibition space it was reopened. In 1984, because of some internal difficulties, once more it was closed and again reopened in 1985. And finally on February 4, 2000, it was opened for the fifth time, after its renovation. Reza Abbasi Museum is administrated by Iranian Cultural Heritage Organization.

There is also a publication department that has published valuable references on Iranian artistic legacy. 

The library of the museum with over 10,000 Persian, English, French and German books is open to the museum curators, the staff of Cultural Heritage Organization, universities students and researchers. The subjects of the books are mostly composed of Iranian history art, archaeology and classical paintings.

The collections on display and in storage of this museum belong to a period from the 2nd millennium BC to the early 20th century which corresponds to the end of Qajar period. The displays are arranged chronologically, so visitors can have a chance to observe the development of art, culture and technology during this time interval. This setup has made the museum unique between other museums in the country, in respect to the Iranian Art History. 

The objects exhibited in this museum include artifacts made of baked clay, metal and stone from the pre-historic times to pottery and metal objects, textile and lacquer painting belonging to the Islamic period. Other artworks on display in the museum are paintings on canvas and paper, manuscripts and jewelry from pre-Islamic period, besides art and technology and calligraphy works of the Islamic period.

The Conservation department with its two laboratories and workshops for conservation of painting, metal objects and manuscript books is considered as one the most advanced conservation workshops of the country. Therefore, it not only covers its own needs, but accepts conservation works from all other museums with in the country.

The objects preserved in this Gallery are from the 2nd millennium BC to the end of the Sassanid Dynasty (i.e. 651 AD). The pottery and metal objects that show simple and pleasant shapes with decorations often derived from nature and each are from various sites such as Azerbaijan, Susa or Lorestan. The discovery and usage of materials, advances in knowledge and technology have created objects that facilitated victory over the nature. During the Median and Achaemenian periods and the subsequent eras, humanity gained such a level of skill that could think about beauty and perfection and was able to create different objects. The silver objects with gold decorations from the Sassanid period, which bring this Gallery to a conclusion, reflect this advancement.

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In the first Islamic Gallery, metal objects from the Buyid Period that have designs derived from the Sassanian era with Kufic scripts showing early Islamic influences, the pottery from the 9th to the 11th centuries AD from Naishabur also with Kufic scripts or pottery wares with splashed clear glaze, of multicolored wares attributed to Sari are on display. This collection continues with pottery from the Seljuk Period that shows different techniques, various materials and a greater variety of designs such as enamel, under-glaze painted, monochrome glazes, luster painted, etc. Most of these were made in cities like Rey, Kashan and Jorjan. The oil lamps, incense burners and other metal objects of the Seljuk Period bring this display to a conclusion.

Objects from the 13th to the end of the 19th centuries are on display in this Gallery. With the attack of the Mongols, the trends, fashions and types of makes as well as centers of fabrication changed. The pottery with different colors and decorative backgrounds in the initial section of this Gallery, are some samples of this period. The metal objects from the Timurid period, which also was a very turbulent time in the history of Iran are some remained ones of this era. The pottery and metal wares from the Safavid period, which shows a different situation prevailing in the country, display differing designs, decorations and colors. The metal wares, textiles and also polychrome lacquer objects with bird and flower designs from the Qajar period reflect a new era in the history of art and culture of Iran and bring collection to a conclusion.

                                                  (Source: The Cultural Heritage Foundation)