National Museum Opens “The Splendor of Silver” Exhibition in Minsk

Minsk:  The National Museum today opened the exhibition “The Splendor of Silver: Collections from the Omani Court” at the National Museum of Fine Arts in the Belarusian capital, Minsk, as part of the Oman Day events. The initiative comes within the framework of strengthening bilateral relations between the Sultanate of Oman and the friendly Republic of Belarus.

The exhibition highlights Omani silver as a historically pioneering craft, presenting a distinguished collection of artifacts associated with the Sultans of Oman in Muscat and Zanzibar. It sheds light on silver’s cultural, artistic, and symbolic significance in Omani society. The exhibition will run until 18 March 2026.

The opening ceremony was held under the patronage of Her Highness Dr. Mona bint Fahd Al Said, Assistant President of Sultan Qaboos University for International Cooperation and Vice Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the National Museum. In her address, she emphasized the constant aspiration to strengthen friendship and expand horizons of cultural and intellectual cooperation between the two friendly countries.

The exhibition features a range of museum pieces that illustrate the charm of silver within Omani culture, highlighting its diverse roles beyond the Sultan’s court to encompass daily life. It also reflects the high level of craftsmanship of Omani silversmiths, offering visitors insight into a world where silver symbolizes beauty, protection, and authentic Omani artistry.

In his speech, Jamal bin Hassan Al Mousawi, Secretary-General of the National Museum, stated that organizing the exhibition is a result of the official visit of President Alexander Lukashenko, President of the Republic of Belarus, to the Sultanate of Oman in December 2024, and his directive to host the exhibition in Belarus following his visit to the National Museum.

He added that the exhibition celebrates masterpieces of Omani silver and artifacts associated with the Omani court, embodying the richness of Omani art and its universal human message, thereby enhancing cultural understanding and cooperation between Oman and Belarus within the framework of cultural diplomacy pursued by the National Museum.

Al Mousawi explained that the exhibited artifacts—foremost among them the Omani dagger—demonstrate the depth of craftsmanship and symbolic significance in Omani society, reflecting the convergence of art and royalty, as well as the authenticity and innovation expressed through silver jewelry.

He noted that the Sultanate of Oman, represented by the National Museum and the National Archives and Records Authority, previously participated as guest of honour in the 80th anniversary celebrations of the National Museum of Fine Arts in Minsk. At that time, the exhibition “Oman, Pearl of the East: Handicrafts” was organized as part of Oman Day events in 2019, affirming the continuity of cultural and historical cooperation between the two countries.

The exhibition is divided into five main sections: the Omani dagger, perfume culture, silver craftsmanship, traditional costumes, and elite attire of prominent Omani figures in East Africa.

The Omani dagger section highlights its symbolism as part of the national emblem of the Sultanate of Oman and traces its history and development since the third millennium BC. It presents various types of daggers, including the Saidi, Nizwa, and Suri daggers, and features a jambiya presented by former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh to the late Sultan Qaboos bin Said.

The perfume culture section focuses on the role of fragrances in Omani daily life and social occasions, showcasing rare perfume bottles dating back to 1983 made of crystal, 24-carat gold, and silver. These include the first creations of Amouage perfumes, with designs inspired by the Omani dagger.

The silver craftsmanship section presents silver artifacts used for adornment and protection, highlighting their aesthetic, social, and economic significance, particularly for women as part of dowries and financial security.

The traditional costumes section illustrates Omani dress as an expression of identity, modesty, and adornment, featuring men’s and women’s garments, tools, and weapons decorated with silver. Among the prominent exhibits are a shield and a flintlock weapon from the private collection of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik—may God protect and preserve him.

The elite attire section displays clothing and jewelry belonging to notable Omani figures, including the jewelry and burqa of Sayyida Salma bint Said Al Busaidi dating back to the 19th century, highlighting their role in documenting social and cultural life in the Omani court and East Africa.

The National Museum of Fine Arts of the Republic of Belarus, established in 1939, is the largest museum in the country, housing more than 37,000 works across 20 collections. It plays an active role in research, restoration, international exhibitions, cultural exchange, and educational outreach.