The collectors of old items and heritage lovers should have interest in this Omani gentleman who has an eye for old things that not only catches the old stuff but also precious and things of real interest. Said bin Salem al Kathiri from the Governorate of Dhofar has rare swords, a very old gun, some very old coral reefs and the latest in his collection is a natural stone piece which resembles the map of Oman. The gun dates back to 1863, while one of the European swords has a factory mark of 1875.
Said, however, is not sure about the age of his latest collection, the stone resembling Omani map, as he randomly found it in Mirbat. An unassuming and publicity- shy Said got his latest collection decorated in a box and exhibited as one of his most prized possessions. He doesn’t want his picture published in the newspapers, but insists that the collections get proper display. An amateur collector Said, 40, does not have real plans for his collections, neither has he taken part in any exhibitions so far.
“I just collect them and keep them home because I love to collect old items. The gun which I have has a factory symbol of ‘Enfield 1865’ and belongs to my grandfather. Similarly, the swords that I have are also very old. I got them either at home or from some friends who had just discarded them,” he said. The stone piece apparently looks like Omani map. “The top portion of it looks like Musandam, the right sides Al Batinah and the white elevated parts as Empty Quarters. The bottom of the stone piece looks like Salalah and Dhofar mountains,” he said, while explaining nature’s artwork, which apparently looks quite natural and one decently done piece.
Among his coral reef collections are one piece that is in the form of a frankincense tree. It looks like an artistically done piece of stone flower with full of natural colours. Said’s area of interest is old household items and things that resemble national symbols of Oman.
Kaushalendra Singh
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