Oman's late Sultan Qaboos bin Said was an innovator. A beautifully illustrated story told through fifty objects. This is the first time that many have been shown to the public. A visionary leader and a charming diplomat, this catalogue unveils a largely private collection of objects belonging to His Highness the late Sultan Qaboos bin Said of Oman. The 50 artefacts from the Renaissance collection, currently held in the National Museum of Oman, have been chosen to offer an intimate portrait of the Sultan's 50-year reign. The collection showcases treasures many seen here for the first time received from friends and rulers worldwide as well as symbolic objects that reflect the early years of Oman's independence. Through 50 significant objects and the elegant integration of the Sultan's own inspiring quotes as calligraphy, this beautifully illustrated book provides a unique and personal perspective on a transformative era. AUTHOR: Sophie Kazan Makhlouf PhD is an art writer and academic specialising in the art and culture of South-West Asian, North African and the Arabian Gulf. Author of a recent book on the development of contemporary art in the UAE, she contributes regularly to art magazines and academic journals. Sophie teaches at the University of Notre Dame (USA) in London and she is an Honorary Fellow of the School of Museum Studies at the University of Leicester. SELLING POINTS: . Elegant design integrating images, text and decorative calligraphy . Beautifully illustrated visuals of significant and symbolic objects explained . First ever public viewing of many of these works from the Sultan's own private collection . Fifty carefully chosen objects, all illustrated in full colour images are used to tell stories . Intimate portrait and Insight into diplomacy and the private life of a visionary ruler . Global Gifts and Omani heritage reflect the country's early years of independence . Covers an important era of history and Oman's modernisation