Saudi Jewels in Dubai, That's a First

More than 300 priceless items of jewellery from Saudi Arabia, from Bedouin belts to the brooch of a princess, went on display for the first time in Dubai this weekend, telling the story of the Arabian Peninsula as a crossroads of civilizations and influences The pieces in "Hidden Treasures: Jewelry from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia" represent just a fifth of the collection that the Art of Heritage group in Riyadh has been assembling and preserving for more than 30 years, comprising artwork, crafts and objects that reflect the history and lifestyle of various Saudi tribes and regions since the 19th century "You'll get to see just how diverse and varied Arab culture and identity is, and how each piece is an exchange and an interpretation of places, ideas and customs," Pramod Kumar KG, the curator of the exhibit, said at Thursday's opening in the Dubai Design District.

While the pieces were worn by women in Saudi Arabia, they reflect influences from all over - from coiled, Celtic-style bangles to abstract African designs, Egyptian snake-design bracelets, and shimmering cascades of Indian and Austrian coins The others are "Pearl Merchants: A Rediscovered Saga between the Gulf and France at the Dawn of the 20th Century"; "Precious Art Deco Objects," a selection of boxes from the collection of Prince and Princess Sadruddin Aga Khan; and "The Fabulous Destiny of Tavernier's Diamonds," a display of replicas of 20 exceptional diamonds sold in the 17th century to French King Louis XIV The exhibits are being offered along with courses in jewelry history and design, talks and movie screenings.

Besides the cultural and historic significance, "Hidden Treasures: Jewelry from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia" demonstrates the beauty and craftsmanship found in the smallest and most timeless of objects On April 11, there will be a special talk on the exhibit at 6:30 p.m at Hai D3 in the Dubai Design District. Source