The exhibition will showcase the most striking works from the National Museum’s collection, demonstrating the richness of Oman’s historical and cultural heritage. The exhibition will be divided into various sections designed to introduce visitors to the diverse facets of Omani culture, its customs, and traditions.
The art of silversmithing is one of the most important in Omani culture. From ancient times to the present day, silver-adorned items not only testify to the status and material well-being of their owner but also serve as a means of artistic expression for their creator. The exhibition features exquisite works by Omani artisans —ceremonial daggers, belts, amulets, jewellery, and various accessories crafted from this precious metal. Created with meticulous craftsmanship, regardless of their original purpose, silver objects acquire metaphysical meaning, embodying spiritual protection and combining the perfection of form with the value of a precious metal. In order to fully understand the exceptional role of silver in Omani history and culture, it is important to note that silver was used in the manufacture of khanjar, the traditional Omani dagger, which is featured in the national emblem of the Sultanate of Oman.
The national emblem also fully reflects the weapon’s symbolic significance. Daggers have been used in Oman since at least the 3rd millennium BCE, and even in the distant past they fulfilled a ceremonial as well as practical purpose. Dagger-making is the most multifaceted of all Omani crafts and includes working with steel, wood, horn or bone, fabric, leather, and, naturally, numerous silversmithing techniques. A separate section of the exhibition will be dedicated to both the history and culture of the khanjar and its parts and accessories.
The exhibition features traditional costumes demonstrating the diverse functions of Omani clothing, which embodies religious beliefs, identity, modesty, protection, adornment, and dignity.
A significant section of the exhibition is dedicated to jewellery. These items serve not only utilitarian purposes but also reflect individual and social values, such as aesthetics, etiquette, religious affiliation, and self-expression.
A special place in the exhibition is occupied by a collection of personal articles belonging to princess Sayyida Salma bint Sa’id al-Busa’idi, author of Memoirs of an Arabian Princess of Zanzibar, the first autobiography written by an Arab noblewoman.
A number of exhibits will introduce the culture of fragrance, a tradition found throughout Oman. The display will also feature men’s perfume bottles from Amouage, the globally renowned fragrance house. The bottles’ design is inspired by the Omani dagger.
The exhibition “The Elegance of Silver: Treasures of the Omani Court” is the result of a long-standing collaboration between the National Art Museum of the Republic of Belarus and the National Museum of the Sultanate of Oman. The exhibition “Oman: the Jewel of the East. Crafts Heritage” was successfully held in Minsk in 2019, featuring works by Omani artisans and serving as a showcase for one of the largest museums of the East in the Republic of Belarus.
The exhibition will be on display until 18 March 2026.
