From Oyster To Crown Exhibition Highlights Pearl Diving Heritage At Bait Al Naboodah's 30th Anniversary

The Sharjah Museums Authority (SMA) has unveiled the interactive exhibition "From Oyster to Crown" to celebrate Bait Al Naboodah's 30th anniversary. This heritage site is a significant landmark in Sharjah, showcasing the emirate's rich history with pearl diving and trading. The event was attended by notable figures including Maissa Saif Al Suwaidi, Director of SMA, and Dr. Hanadi Al Suwaidi, Director of Sharjah Center for Learning Difficulties.

The exhibition offers an immersive experience that combines learning with enjoyment. Visitors can explore how pearls form inside oysters through a realistic simulation of this natural process. It highlights various types of pearls and their habitats, noting that the finest varieties, known locally as Al Giyoun, are found in the deep waters of the Arabian Gulf near Sharjah and other regional coasts.

Guests at the opening ceremony embarked on a guided tour that took them on an interactive journey through time. This included 45 students from Sharjah American School who learned about pearl formation in oysters and the daring adventures of divers aboard jalboot boats in the Arabian Gulf. The tour continued to showcase how pearls are weighed and evaluated before becoming exquisite jewellery pieces.

The exhibition is designed to be inclusive and accessible to all visitors, including those with disabilities. It features tactile experiences for visually impaired individuals, allowing them to engage with exhibits through sensory interaction. This approach enhances their overall museum experience by making it more inclusive and engaging.

SMA emphasised that this exhibition reflects its commitment to preserving the UAE’s maritime heritage and traditional pearl diving profession as integral parts of Emirati cultural identity. By organising this event, SMA aims to revive memories of the sea and introduce younger generations to their forefathers' heritage while highlighting pearl diving's role in shaping Emirati society.

Bait Al Naboodah was built in 1845 as the residence of Obaid bin Isa bin Ali bin Nasser Al Shamsi (Al Naboodah), a renowned pearl merchant in Sharjah. After extensive restoration efforts, it reopened as a museum in 1995 and underwent another major renovation in 2018. Today, it stands as a testament to Sharjah’s commercial and social history.

Engaging Events and Workshops

The exhibition runs until April 6, 2026, featuring various events such as a panel discussion titled "Pearls in Jewellery Making" on November 7 with Adi AlFardan sharing insights into luxury jewellery design influenced by pearls. Additionally, there will be a community educational event called "Sea Treasures Mirror" on November 9 along with workshops for children and families focused on creating pearl bracelets.

Visitors can explore traditional tools used by divers and traders like scales, measuring instruments, ledgers, baskets while experiencing recreated scenes of diving expeditions or sailors’ adventures. They can also interact with maritime collections or try on royal jewellery within an environment combining art knowledge cultural immersion.

The museum’s collection includes rare artefacts documenting pearl trade history alongside multimedia displays portraying traders’ lives divers’ experiences cultural value pearls hold Emirati society providing holistic experience bridging living heritage modern educational content.

With inputs from WAM