Oman’s traditional crafts are a visual representation of the nation, its people, its past and present – giving form to patterns of life in the Sultanate and expressing the cultural qualities for which it is renowned, including the shared faith of Islam, hospitality, generosity, and community.

This gallery, dedicated to the land and the people of Oman, shows how the geographic context and a corresponding availability of resources have shaped local and national culture – and vice versa. The importance of water and dictates of desert life are highlighted alongside the prosperity of oasis towns, the splendid isolation of the mountains, and the cross-cultural character of the coastal communities.

The journey from utility to artistry is also charted here, through displays of traditional costumes, jewellery, weaponry and other hand-crafted articles – which satisfy not only the basic requirements for human survival but also such personal and communal priorities as adornment, identity, ceremony and religious expression.