Art from Iraq
A living room needs art. If you don‘t have it already, take your pick from the gallery at the Iraq pavilion which has over 30 Iraqi artists displaying their paintings. From abstract, landscape, still life, concept, photorealism to hyperrealism – the gallery has a variety of options to choose from. Prices range from Dh200 to Dh10,000.
Papyrus paintings from Egypt
How about decorating your walls with Egyptian papyrus paintings? The Egypt pavilion has a plethora of artworks depicting the daily life, pyramids, the sphinx, mythology, gods and goddesses of ancient Egypt. A two metre by three metre piece, depicting bedouins on camels, is priced Dh650 and will make a perfect wall piece when framed in glass.
Carpets from Afghanistan and Iran
A handmade carpet is sure to give your living room a distinctive character and the Afghanistan and Iran pavilions offer you choices galore. A particular piece (two by three metres) in the Afghanistan pavilion that was hand-woven by two women in Mazar-e-Sharif is priced Dh25,000. In the Iran pavilion, you will find a pure silk carpet with very intricate designs – 750 knots per square inch – for Dh250,000. It was made in Qom, a city near Tehran.
Antiques from Iran
Staying with Iran, a shop here has a mid-19th century French Sevres vase (Dh230,000) with a painting of a mother playing with her children. Another section of the vase shows a beautiful landscape of Sevres. The shop also has, among other antique pieces, an 18th century Ottoman silver vase priced Dh55,000.
Lamps from Tunisia
These lamps sporting traditional designs are sure to give your living room a Middle Eastern charm. Prices range from Dh100 to Dh1,000.
Semi-precious stones from Saudi Arabia
Fancy a nice semi-precious stone to adorn your hall? An amber piece, priced Dh6,500, at the Saudi pavilion is a head-turner. Of course, there are other semi-precious stones that might catch your fancy.
Artefacts from Africa
The African pavilion represents more than 15 countries, with each showcasing the best of its traditional crafts. The stalls here display a massive collection of intricately designed artefacts made from the best types of wood such as ebony, mahogany, rosewood and also soapstones. Take your pick.
Collectibles from Europe
If you love vintage decor, a stall in this pavilion is sure to pique your interest. It has a myriad collection of ‘timeless’ pieces, including a 19th century telephone that still works, a framed Charlie Chaplin-themed collage and a black and white framed photo of Marilyn Monroe, among many rare items. This shop is the place to go to if you want to bring home something that evokes nostalgia.
