“Two Swords and a Palm” Exhibition Opens at Al-Masmak Palace Showcasing Saudi Emblem Archive
Riyadh, The Gulf Observer: The exhibition “Two Swords and a Palm: The Saudi Emblem Archive” opened to the public on Saturday at Al-Masmak Palace, offering a comprehensive visual journey through the evolution of Saudi Arabia’s national emblem. The exhibition, which runs until November 21, chronicles the emblem’s historic significance and its use across different eras.
Curated by heritage enthusiasts Mohammed Alruways and Abdullah Kenani, the exhibition highlights a four-year research project that meticulously traced the emblem’s changing aesthetics since the unification of the Kingdom in the 1930s. The curators collected and digitized objects featuring the emblem, ranging from official documents to rare artifacts, while overcoming the challenge of dating items from as far back as the 1940s.
The exhibition is presented in three sections: an initial gallery displaying emblem-adorned objects, a second room featuring emblems in varying scales including diplomatic artworks, and a third space demonstrating the archival and digitization process through interactive videos and animations. Visitors are also introduced to the emblem’s evolving role as a symbol of Saudi values, identity, and unity.
Rare items on display include royal dining plates from the eras of King Abdulaziz and King Fahd, as well as a 1949 passport, among the earliest to bear the emblem. The exhibition also illustrates how, prior to 2009, hand-drawn versions of the emblem often carried unique artistic variations, while post-2009 digital reproductions brought greater uniformity.
Alruways noted the symbolic significance of holding the exhibition at Al-Masmak Palace, the historic site linked to the 1902 recapture of Riyadh by King Abdulaziz — a defining moment in the Kingdom’s unification. The venue, now a national museum, continues to preserve the early heritage of modern Saudi Arabia while serving as a cultural hub.
The Museums Commission emphasized that the exhibition reflects its commitment to preserving cultural heritage and strengthening national identity, noting that the emblem is “a living record that reflects the state’s journey and aspirations across generations.”
Aligned with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, the exhibition transforms Al-Masmak Palace into an engaging cultural space with workshops and educational activities designed to connect all generations with the history, meaning, and enduring legacy of the Kingdom’s emblem.
