The Sultan's private Museum
2007-05-25 11:35 PM | Posted by sahayak | Permanent Link | Miscellaneous
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I recall a number of years ago when Sri Chinmoy and many of his students were visiting Brunei that a number of us had the opportunity to view the private Museum of the Sultan of Brunei.
The building where the valuable treasures were on public display was heavily guarded with the Sultan's own private guards.
What I remember most about the two storey display was the high level of craftesmanship evident in the vast collection of artifacts stored in large glass display cases. It was literally like turning back the clock to the time of Alexander The Great and earlier and seeing a collection of armaments from these ancient times. Countless numbers of different types of swords, knives and armour from so many lost empires mostly from the Middle East, names you normally see in Ancient History texts only - Persia, Mesopotamia, Egypt and Babylon!
Swords some straigtht others curved whose blades were engraved with unknown symbols and whose scabbards carried raised designs inlaid with precious gems. The ingenious designs for locks and handcuffs made at a time when only the simplest of tools were available was outstanding. As was the level of craftsmanship displayed by the royal jewelers who manufactured the most ornate yet beautiful necklesses, rings, crowns, pendants and assorted jewelery all laiden with the finest of precious gemstones in their design.
High levels of craftsmanship was also evident in the large selection of jewelery boxes and ivory carvings. All in all a display that shows the amazing wealth from those ancient times. A very memorable experience, I highly recommend a visit the next time you are in Brunei.
