Treasures of the Cave: Exploring the Dubai Antique Museum

A bit of a misnomer, the Dubai Antique Museum is not a museum. Located in Dubai’s Al Quoz Industrial Area, the retailer has been selling antiques, handicrafts and souvenirs from 27 countries for over 31 years.

The 72,000 square-foot facility is dimly lit and purposely labyrinthine to inspire the feeling of being in a cave of wonders. Narrow walkways wind through shelves packed to the ceiling with 1,328 barcoded racks and bins - everything you see is up for sale.

Managing Director Fakih N.P., pictured here holding a Vietnamese painted mask, arrived in the UAE in 1988. In 1993, he started reselling unsold items from other gift retailers out of a small store in Karama, eventually expanding to collect unique pieces from the countries he visited.

Fakih collected these ancient statues in Thailand. The pink tags are official certifications from the Thai government attesting that the pieces are at least 250 years old.

Fakih collected these pieces of Yemeni jewelry 25 years ago. However, he estimates they could be centuries old as such adornments are traditionally passed down through generations of women in a family.

This large elephant statue is made of camel bone. At AED 120,000, it is the most expensive item in the Museum’s collection.

The Dubai Antique Museum sources the majority of its vast collection of pashminas from cottage businesses in Nepal and Kashmir. This supports local artisans, who are mostly women.

The Dubai Antique Museum has been making a major push towards sustainability, with several pieces being made out of recycled or reused materials. Fakih is pictured here holding a Sri Lankan bowl made from recycled newspapers.

The Museum houses several Middle Eastern antiques. Used for ablution or to wash hands, the traditional Persian aftabehs in the back cost AED 2,600. The antique dallah, or coffee pot, in the front costs AED 2,400.

The Museum has a separate section dedicated to refurbishing metal antiques, mostly ceremonial swords and daggers. “Back then, you could tell everything about a man by his cap, his front door and his sword,” says Fakih.

Despite visiting 192 countries, Fakih maintains a deep personal connection to the UAE. Surrounded by items from around the world, this walkway features seven types of sand from each of the UAE's emirates.