CHAIR OF POWER’ (KITI CHA ENZI)

Origin: Sultanate of Zanzibar (modern-day Kenya)
Wood, ivory, red paste, cotton and fibre
12th century AH/18th century CE

On loan from the family of Sheikh Sir Mbarak bin ‘Ali al-Hinawy

THRONE CHAIR

His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said Wood and velvet 1390 AH/1970 CE The carved and pierced crest on the back of this throne chair includes the date ‘1390 AH’ and the Arabic initial ‘Q’. The date commemorates the ascension of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said to the throne, while the initial is representative of the name Qaboos. Positioned below the initial is the National Emblem of the Sultanate of Oman. The design of this throne chair has parallels with European ceremonial chairs of the 12th century AH/18th century CE

ROUNDED TABLE

Origin: probably Punjab (India)
Rosewood inlaid with ivory
1266–1318 AH/1850–1900 CE (al-Busaid Dynasty)

Donated by H.H. Sayyida Buthaina bint Taimur al-Said.

COMMUNION CHALICE AND PLATE

Origin: United Kingdom
Silver
13th century AH/19th century CE

On loan from al-Amana Center, Sultanate of Oman
Communion sets provide the Christian tradition of accepting the bodyand blood of Jesus Christ. This silver-plated portable communion set is believed to have been brought to Oman byBishop Thomas ValpyFrench on 8 February 1891 CE. He was the first Anglican bishop tocome to Muscat for the purpose of establishing an Anglican Church. Bishop French was born on 1 January 1825 CE in Burton-upon-Trentin England and he was educated at Rugby School and University College, Oxford. In 1850 CE, he was accepted by the ChurchMissionary Society and sent to Agra, India, where he founded St John’sCollege. In 1877 CE, he was appointed the first Anglican bishop of thediocese of Lahore (modern-day Pakistan) and he moved to Muscat in1891 CE, but died there the same year. This communion set was subsequently used by Reformed Church ofAmerica pastors to serve communion to Christian families during home visits.