AN INITIATIVE OF CRAFT REVIVAL TRUST.  Since 1999
The National Museum

The National Museum

October, 2017

The National Museum

Medu Ziyaarat Magu
Male, Maldives 20-04

M: 00960-322254

The museum gives an introduction about the different periods of Maldivian history and the artefacts used, their essential details and their origins. The National Museum of Maldives, though small, contains pieces related to antiquity. It contains evidence from pre-Islamic days, to the rule of Islamic monarchs, ranging from small fragments of worshipped idols to robes worn by sultans and sultanas, from stone carvings to palace furniture used by the latter day rulers. The artefacts provide the visitor with knowledge important in understanding the activities, objects and people of the past.

AMONG THE LIST OF ARTEFACTS ARE THE FOLLOWING

Pre Islamic Section
Pre Islamic Artefacts

  1. Small Stupa
  2. Tower Stupa
  3. Votive Stupa
  4. Disc-shaped Limestone
  5. Limestone Block
  6. Fragmentary Limestone Block
  7. Limestone Disc
  8. Limestone Slab
  9. Pieces of the Stone Slab containing the Buddha Footprint
  10. Rectangular Limestone Block
  11. Fragment of a Limestone
  12. Corner Fragment of a Limestone Slab
  13. Dome Shaped Stupa
  14. Corner Stone
  15. Octagonal Columns of Limestone
  16. Lion Figure
  17. Buddha Head
  18. Coral Stone Casket with Carved Design
  19. Coral Stone Stelae with Carved Faces
  20. Five Faced Coral Stelae
  21. Round Votive Container

Post-Islamic Section
Post-Islamic Artefacts

  1. Wooden Plaques from Hukuru Miskiiy
  2. Royal chair
  3. Carved table and chair
  4. Dholhidhaankolhu (Palanquin)
  5. Bed
  6. Special Chairs and Table
  7. Stone Bed
  8. Bed and Umbrella
  9. Sandals and Footstool

Textiles & Jewellery

  1. Headscarf
  2. Embroidered coats
  3. Robe
  4. Silk Shirt
  5. Jacket
  6. Trousers
  7. Coat
  8. Libaas

Other Textile Items

  1. Woven Mats
  2. Gold Embroidered Slippers
  3. Kakaage Kalhu Gomaa’s libaas
  4. Galolhu Ganduvaru Goma’s libaas

Turbans

  1. Turban belonging to Sultan Hassan Izzuddeen
  2. Turban belonging to Sultan Muhammad Shamsuddeen
  3. Turban belonging to Sultan Ibrahim Nooraddeen
  4. Cap belonging to Sultan Muhammed Fareed
  5. Feyli Kolhu worn by Sultan Muhammad Thakurufaanu

Jewellery & Other Accessories

  1. Necklaces
  2. Bangles
  3. Belt Buckle
  4. Chain with haika
  5. Buckle
  6. Belt
  7. Gold ring

Coin Collection

Containers

  1. Wooden Box
  2. Bodu Kuran’di Kolhu
  3. Saimuda
  4. Large pots
  5. Bronze Jug

Lamps

  1. Glass Lamps
  2. Haiv Kodikodikaali or Lantern
  3. Billoori Bandiya
  4. Sameydhaan

Other Items

  1. Spittoons
  2. Incense Container
  3. Chinese Plate
  4. Weaponry