The Pearl Carpet of Baroda, one of the world's most expensive carpet, was auctioned for 545 million U.S. dollars by Sotheby in Doha in 2019. The carpet, studded with 1.2-1.5 million natural pearls harvested in the southern Gulf region and along the coasts of Qatar and  Bahrain, was believed to be a gift for the tomb of Islam's prophet Mohammed from India's Maharaja of Baroda a century ago.

Qatar, one of the wealthiest countries in the world benefits most from the oil and natural gas industry. Today, many recognize this Middle-East country for affluence, but a few know about its history of pearl hunting. There was a time when superior quality pearls from the region were exported to Europe and Asia. 

The country has a long history of pearl diving. For a long time, pearl sector remained the backbone of the economy on this small peninsula in the Persian Gulf. These natural pearls collected from the deep seas along coasts of Qatar remained popular until cheaper pearls from Japan replaced its dominance.

In recent years, pearl, as well as many other traditions representing Qatar's pastime, have been used by the nation to emphasize its unique identity in the Gulf region and the world. The Pearl-Qatar, an artificial island, is one of the most glamorous addresses in the Middle East. It's named the “Pearl” because the island was built on one of the most prominent pearl diving sites of Qatar. The shape of the island resembles a string of pearls. Even in this golden era of the country, you might still feel Qatar's legacy of pearl diving.

What are the cultural elements that best represent Asia? Follow up with the "Know Asia Better" series. It will offer you a glimpse of 47 Asian countries, through architecture, art or cultural figures to show you a diversified Asia that you may never have noticed before. Themed in the exchanges and mutual learning among Asian civilizations and building a community with a shared future for mankind, the Conference on Dialogue of Asian Civilizations will be held in Beijing in May.Previous