Jeddah Memories of Days Gone By

Al Balad is the oldest sector of Jeddah where a largescale effort to preserve Saudi culture and heritage is ongoing.  Several old family homes have been restored and are open to visitors.  Above a family of antique dallah pots sits on a ledge in front of an arched Arabesque geometrical window design. 

The fabrics of traditional Saudi style seating is often red geometric designs.  I adore the Middle Eastern hanging lamps. They are everywhere here.

I've never seen a sewing machine like this one, have you?  I've seen some really interesting old antiques machines, products, and kitchen gadgets here in Saudi Arabia.    

Jeddah: Antique Home Decor

Candelabras, a tree of incense burners, and fancy rosewater sprinklers (called "marrash" in Arabic) adorn the top shelf of this antique chest in a museum in Jeddah's historic district called Al Balad.  Each of these home accessories served important purposes in the early days in Saudi Arabia. Each is still a popular item still found in most homes today. 

To learn more about the rosewater industry and its history in Saudi Arabia, Saudi Aramco World Magazine published a fascinating article 20 years ago about this subject.  CLICK HERE to read it.  

Our World: Antique Baby Bottles

Have you ever seen baby bottles like these?  I never had until I saw them at the Museum Bai Jeddah, located down in Jeddah's old historic district called Al Balad.  With nipples on both ends, I was miffed and intrigued.

These antique baby bottles were named after the word for "boat" in Arabic because of their shape.  Either nipple could be used for drinking, but the extra nipple allowed for refilling the bottle without interrupting the baby and could also release air trapped inside the bottle.



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