Zayed National Museum's permanent galleries - in pictures

  • Zayed National Museum offers a portrait of life across the Emirates. Seen here, a leather and copper mihzam belt, which was typically worn by those who guarded their neighbourhoods. All photos: Victor Besa / The National
    Zayed National Museum offers a portrait of life across the Emirates. Seen here, a leather and copper mihzam belt, which was typically worn by those who guarded their neighbourhoods. All photos: Victor Besa / The National
  • Crescent-shaped necklace, from 1950s Ajman, shows the ways in which precious stones were used in jewellery
    Crescent-shaped necklace, from 1950s Ajman, shows the ways in which precious stones were used in jewellery
  • Artefacts aside, the museum's permanent collections also feature statues of families and tribes practising their crafts and traditions
    Artefacts aside, the museum's permanent collections also feature statues of families and tribes practising their crafts and traditions
  • Copy of Abd al-Rahman al-Sufi's Kitab Suwar al-Kawakib Al-Thabita (The Book of Fixed Stars), from 1341
    Copy of Abd al-Rahman al-Sufi's Kitab Suwar al-Kawakib Al-Thabita (The Book of Fixed Stars), from 1341
  • Book of the Plans of all the Fortresses, Cities and Towns of the State of the East Indies, by Antonio de Mariz Carneiro, 1639, is one of the first examples of a mapped area of the UAE
    Book of the Plans of all the Fortresses, Cities and Towns of the State of the East Indies, by Antonio de Mariz Carneiro, 1639, is one of the first examples of a mapped area of the UAE
  • The rababa, an instrument made with animal skin, wood, nylon string and metal studs, was donated to the museum by UAE resident Mohamed Ahmed Alkendi Almarar
    The rababa, an instrument made with animal skin, wood, nylon string and metal studs, was donated to the museum by UAE resident Mohamed Ahmed Alkendi Almarar
  • A kamal, left, a navigational tool made with wood and string, and an astrolabe, were both instruments used by seafarers
    A kamal, left, a navigational tool made with wood and string, and an astrolabe, were both instruments used by seafarers
  • Umm Kulthum's pearl necklace, gifted to her by UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is on display at the museum
    Umm Kulthum's pearl necklace, gifted to her by UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is on display at the museum
  • The museum is peppered with quotes by Sheikh Zayed that reinforce the call for heritage preservation
    The museum is peppered with quotes by Sheikh Zayed that reinforce the call for heritage preservation