Zamzam Container and Abu Asad Plate Top Auction

The Hawa Al Manama auction brought Bahrain’s heritage to life, combining rare treasures with lively bidding and cultural celebration.

Top Sales: Zamzam water container BHD 200, Abu Asad plate BHD 350.

Participation: Citizens, GCC visitors, and officials joined in competitive bidding.

Cultural Impact: Antique collectibles highlighted Bahrain’s history and traditions.

The antique auction at the Hawa Al Manama Festival, organized in collaboration with Bahrain Auction, sparked excitement and intense bidding at Qasr Al Sharq Hotel, reflecting strong interest from visitors and collectors. Citizens, GCC visitors, and official figures attended one of the festival’s most engaging events. Participants were required to pay a BHD 25 deposit, ensuring serious bidding and smooth proceedings.

Among the highlights, the old map of Manama featured in the “Marbopol” game drew attention. Sarah Bouhaji, CEO of the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority, purchased the limited-edition historical map for BHD 55, noting its documentation of hotels and institutions from old Manama. MP Mohammed Janahi also participated, acquiring a vintage Casio watch for BHD 20.

The auction reached its peak excitement during the bidding for an old Zamzam water container from the Holy Mosque in Mecca, where a Kuwaiti and a Bahraini bidder competed. The bidding started under BHD 100 and concluded at BHD 200, captivating attendees and showcasing the competitive spirit.

Other notable items included a Bahraini Quraishi coffee pot by craftsman Yasser Al Ansari, which started at BHD 1,400 but remained unsold, and an original Abu Asad plate, sold for BHD 350, among the top sales of the event. Fans of sports history also showed interest in retirement tickets of national player Ahmed bin Yousuf Salmeen, with bidding beginning at BHD 30.

The auction featured a range of collectibles, including an old Hajj gift box (BHD 35), a Ghori clay pot symbolizing Bahraini-Saudi friendship (starting BHD 140), Sawt Bahrain magazine (BHD 100), Al Adwaa weekly newspaper (BHD 300), vintage Abu Qaras phones (BHD 35), and a doll box (starting BHD 10). Some pieces drew curiosity but remained unsold, such as a Gulf War Iraqi missile fragment (BHD 100) and an old Batelco phone (BHD 1,000).

The auction is part of the Hawa Al Manama Festival, emphasizing the city’s cultural heritage. The event transforms historical collectibles into interactive experiences, blending documentation with live engagement, and bringing Bahrain’s past to life while strengthening the festival’s traditional and cultural character.