The objective was to collect material of the earlier Islamic periods and dynasties. Today the collection includes fine pieces from the eighth-ninth centuries, especially Samanid, Ghaznavid and Seljuk  periods through to the fifteenth, sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Early sword pommels and guards and early sabres help towards the aim of establishing a typology of white arms. The collection has a number of fine cane shields and archery material as well as armour for man and horse. It is also rich in daggers and belts carried by the courtly chevaliers.

Thus the collection has both a serious academic aspect and is also remarkable for its rich and fine and aesthetically satisfying material. It can claim to possess important material not to be found in other collections or museums. This publication represents approximately half of the collection of the Foundation.