Heritage Collection

The Art of heritage have been launched for over three decades as part of the Al-Nahda Association, and later became administratively independent to form a non-profit organization. It strives diligently under the efforts of its founders, Their Royal Highnesses Princess Sara Al-Faisal, Princess Haifa Al-Faisal, Princess Moudi bint Khalid, and Princess Basma bint Majid, may God protect them. The organization has gathered around 57,000 diverse heritage pieces, including approximately 3,000 pieces of jewelry, more than 3,000 items of textiles, clothing, carpets, and furnishings; around 40,000 photographic materials and everyday tools, as well as wooden doors; in addition to over 1,000 books, manuscripts, documents, and maps; audio recordings and videos; and printed materials. This heritage collection also includes intricately decorated boxes that once contained valuable personal belongings, along with maps dating back hundreds of years that were used in the past to help navigate the correct paths through the desert. The collection features camel litters that were historically used by Saudis. The wide and diverse array of these artifacts reflects the lifestyles and daily experiences of ancestors in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This gathering aims to preserve Saudi heritage and revive it by promoting traditional handicrafts, supporting Saudi artisans, and fostering a connection to heritage through interactive exhibitions and immersive experiences. The museum seeks to build a generation that is attached to its heritage, inspiring creativity and passion in exploring the cultural and heritage treasures that embody the authentic Saudi way of life.

آلوان سرمدية

THE HIDDEN KALEIDOSCOPE Fashion Futures' The Hidden Kaleidoscope is a visual walk-through of Saudi bridal wedding styles; both historical and modern. Traditional wedding pieces drawn from the extensive archives of the Art of Heritage Trust collection, are combined with contemporary couture fashion that, for the first time, show the unbroken continuity across the regions' clothing traditions as worn by women during wedding rituals. The historic capsule collection includes bridal garments distinct to communities across the five regions of the Kingdom. The couture section offers a never-before-seen look into the wardrobes of the women of Saudi Arabia, who were dressed by the most coveted European fashion houses of the 1980s, several of whom were particularly inspired by Saudi styles. The examples on display show the clear change in style as one travels across the different regions of the Kingdom, with variations coming not just by way of color cut, fabric and embroidery, but also in the vision of clearly evolved and distinct styles. Seen here are a wide variety of textiles, sourced from several communities and referencing other social indicators, with a continuum of wedding garments from the early decades of the 20th century to the present day. While some garments were used on the wedding day itself, others were used during associated wedding rituals. The difference in the choice of materials reflects the wide range of communities and socio-economic groups represented in this exhibition.