Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United States New York State New York City Manhattan Flying Carpet Over Isfahan

Flying Carpet Over Isfahan

A controversial magical figure is hidden within a diorama of the city.

New York, New York

Added By
Andres Schiffino
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
Notice the magic carpet rider can be seen in the top right.   Andres Schiffino / Atlas Obscura User
Magic carpet ride.   Andres Schiffino / Atlas Obscura User
  wherearewedude / Atlas Obscura User
The city of Isfahan is beautifully rendered.   Andres Schiffino / Atlas Obscura User
An up-close shot shows the attention to detail put into the diorama.   Andres Schiffino / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Hidden in plain sight among the scientific and cultural wonders displayed in the American Museum of Natural History is an object straight out of fantasy. There, in a diorama of the Iranian city of Isfahan, is a figure riding a magical flying carpet. The figure is not labeled, and the museum has never made public its reason for exhibiting it.

Flying carpets are a fantasy trope originating in ancient Arabic lore. Western readers were introduced to the concept through the classic book One Thousand and One Nights. The concept has since continued into various media adaptations of the book as well as in modern, original works such as the Harry Potter series. 

Only a few of the thousands of the visitors to the museum seem to spot the flying carpet, and of that few, there are different reactions. Some have viewed it as a whimsical Easter egg hidden in the diorama for the public's enjoyment. It often appears as an item in treasure hunts played by children on field trips.

There are, however, critics who don't find the inclusion of the magic carpet to be appropriate.  The diorama is part of an exhibit on historical trade cities of the Middle East. Some argue that the inclusion of the magic carpet in a historical setting is distracting. Others say it plays into an offensive, tired stereotype. The magic carpet is thus seen as one component of the larger problem of colonialism and cultural appropriation that have been connected to Western museums.

Related Tags

Art Hidden Paintings Museums Art Museum Dioramas Miniatures

Know Before You Go

The diorama of the city of Isfahan is located in the Gardner D. Stout Hall of Asian Peoples in the second floor of the American Museum of Natural History.

Community Contributors

Added By

Andres Schiffino

Edited By

wherearewedude

  • wherearewedude

Published

February 26, 2019

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://www.watsonadventures.com/blog/scavenger-hunts/museum-of-magical-history-10-amazing-facts-wizard-school-scavenger-hunt/
  • http://boscoh.com/books/of-culture-nature-and-flying-carpets-in-the-american-museum-of-natural-history.html
Flying Carpet Over Isfahan
American Museum of Natural History
Central Park West & 79th St
New York, New York, 10024
United States
40.781324, -73.973988
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Indian Rhinoceros Diorama

New York, New York

miles away

Asiatic Leopard Diorama

New York, New York

miles away

African Elephants Diorama

New York, New York

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of New York

New York

New York

Places 405
Stories 89

Nearby Places

Indian Rhinoceros Diorama

New York, New York

miles away

Asiatic Leopard Diorama

New York, New York

miles away

African Elephants Diorama

New York, New York

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of New York

New York

New York

Places 405
Stories 89

Related Places

  • The museum entrance.

    Mexico City, Mexico

    Museo Dolores Olmedo

    This extraordinary art museum is like a secret world on the edge of Mexico City.

  • Framed rendition of an allegory of man

    London, England

    'An Allegory of Man'

    This mysterious and unique painting is filled with symbolism.

  • Museu de Arte de São Paulo

    São Paulo, Brazil

    Museu de Arte de São Paulo

    This singular art museum in São Paulo is unique inside and out.

  • The Lazaro Galdiano Museum.

    Madrid, Spain

    Museo Lazaro Galdiano

    This small and often-overlooked museum holds some of Spain's finest artistic treasures.

  • One of the corridors.

    Zacatecas, Mexico

    Rafael Coronel Museum

    Mexico's largest collection of masks is found in the ruins of an abandoned convent.

  • Look for the gnome!

    Denver, Colorado

    Hidden Elves at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science

    A small horde of mythical creatures lurk almost imperceptibly within the museum's wildlife dioramas.

  • The Neoclassical palace is reason enough to visit.

    Corfu, Greece

    Corfu Museum of Asian Art

    A spectacular Neoclassical palace is home more than 15,000 artifacts and works of art.

  • Salama wa Banatha (Salama and her daughters).

    Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

    Folklore Exhibit at the Sharjah Heritage Museum

    Dioramas retell the obscure local legends and ghost stories of Sharjah, from a living palm tree to a headless camel.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.