“The Splendour of Silver: Treasures from the Omani Court” Exhibition Inaugurated in BelarusMinsk, 18 Sep 2026 (ONA) — The National Museum inaugurated the exhibition “The Splendour of Silver: Treasures from the Omani Court” today at the Grodno State Museum of the History of Religion in the Republic of Belarus.This event marks the exhibition’s third station in the Republic of Belarus; its first station was held at the National Art Museum of the Republic of Belarus in the capital, Minsk, in December 2025, before making its second stop at the Vitebsk Regional Museum of Local Lore in July 2026 as part of the programme of the International Arts Festival “Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk.”The exhibition celebrates manifestations of Omani silver as a historically leading craft, showcasing a carefully selected collection of objects associated with the Sultans of Oman in Muscat and Zanzibar.The exhibition will run until 20 November 2026 and serves as an extension of the exhibition held at the National Art Museum in Minsk in December 2025.The opening ceremony was held under the patronage of Her Highness Sayyida Dr. Mona Fahd Al Said, Assistant Vice Chancellor of Sultan Qaboos University for International Cooperation and Vice-Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the National Museum. The event was attended by Yuri Khadzhimuratovich Karaev, Chairman of the Grodno Regional Executive Committee, along with a number of officials and individuals interested in cultural and museum affairs in the Republic of Belarus.The exhibition features a range of museum objects that highlight the allure of silver within the Omani cultural context, where expressions of luxury and elegance are clearly manifested. It sheds light on the diverse roles of silver, this precious metal whose use was not limited to the courts of the sultans, but extended into the details of daily life.The exhibition also highlights the craftsmanship of Omani silversmiths, offering visitors an opportunity to explore a world in which silver becomes a symbol of beauty, protection, and the essence of Omani craftsmanship.The exhibition is divided into five main sections: the Omani khanjar; the Culture of Fragrance; the Art of Silver-Making; Traditional Dress; and Elite Attire of Prominent Omani Figures in East Africa during that period.The Omani khanjar (dagger) section highlights its symbolism as an integral element of the emblem of the Sultanate of Oman, tracing its history and development since the third millennium BCE, with reference to historical evidence confirming the continuity of its form across the ages. The section also presents types of Omani khanjars and their accessories, most notably the Sa‘idi khanjar attributed to the ruling Al Said family and crafted specifically for them, alongside the Nazwani and Suri khanjars. The section further includesa janbiyapresented by Ali Abdullah Saleh, former President of the Republic of Yemen, to the late Sultan Qaboos bin Said.The Culture of Fragrance section focuses on the importance of fine scents in the daily life and social occasions of Omanis. It displays rare perfume bottles dating back to 1983, made of crystal, 24-carat gold, and silver, representing the first fragrance creations of Amouage Perfumes under the nameAmouage Gold. The design of the men’s perfume bottle was inspired by the Omani khanjar and was presented by the late Sultan Qaboos bin Said to his guests, earning it the title “the Gift of Kings”. The fragrances incorporate precious natural ingredients such as frankincense, rose, and amber, with frankincense highlighted as a symbol of global civilisational exchange.The Silver-Making section presents silver artefacts and their aesthetic and symbolic connotations, their use for adornment and protection, and their social and economic role for women as part of the dowry and a source of financial security.The Traditional Dress section explores the functions of Omani attire as an expression of religious beliefs, identity, modesty, and adornment. It showcases the components of women’s and men’s dress, along with associated tools and weapons decorated with silver. Notable objects in this section include a shield and a matchlock firearm from the private collection of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik.The Elite Attire section displays the clothing and jewellery of distinguished Omani figures, including the jewellery and face mask (burqa‘)of Sayyida Salma bint Said bin Sultan al-Busaidi dating to the 13th century AH/19th century CE. This section highlights the role of these objects in documenting social and cultural life at the Omani court and in East Africa.It is worth noting that the Grodno State Museum of the History of Religion was established in 1977 and is the only specialized institution of its kind in the Republic of Belarus. The museum aims to introduce the history and culture of the peoples inhabiting Belarus, while promoting the values of tolerance and respect for cultural and religious diversity among various nationalities and faiths.The museum’s collection is distributed across 13 exhibition halls, housing approximately 67,000 artefacts and artworks organized into 14 museum collections. The exhibits range from archaeological discoveries and decorative and applied art pieces dating from the 13th to the 20th centuries, alongside engravings, old printed books, and musical instruments. The museum also features permanent exhibitions showcasing the history of ancient beliefs in the region, in addition to halls highlighting the architectural history of the historic palace that houses the museum.— Ends/AH