The coat of arms of the state of Qatar

Being asked to make the coat of arms of the state of Qatar, housed in the Amiri Diwan palace in Doha, is among those once-in-a-lifetime experiences! CusenzaMarmi had this privilege by making something unique, using some of the most precious Sicilian marbles in the world such as ancient jasper from Sicily, Castronovo yellow and Segesta ivory. The technique used, that of relief inlay, is probably among the most complex in the world, a fusion of sculpture and inlay that very few know how to handle.

amiri diwan doha state of qatar cusenzamarmi
Rosario Cusenza, accompanied by Italian Ambassador to Doha, Guido De Sanctis (right) is welcomed by the head of the Emir's procotol, His Highness Al-Thani, at the Amiri Diwan Palace.
TREATED WITH STATE HONORS

We personally took care of the shipment of such a valuable item, and once we got off the plane, to our amazement, there was a limousine waiting for us that drove us to the suites at the Four Seasons Hotel that they had reserved for us. For the duration of our stay in Qatar they then reserved a chauffeur-driven car for us at all times.

The Italian ambassador to Doha, Guido De Sanctis, confided in us during a luncheon that we were being treated as officials and high officials of foreign states usually treat us.

PROJECT DETAILS

A unique piece, designed respecting the official coat of arms of Qatar, to which we added a frame recalling the dunes and palm trees of the Qatari desert. The skilful choice of rare and semi-precious stones such as lapis lazuli and mother-of-pearl, the balance of thicknesses, and the attention to detail made this coat of arms a true masterpiece, further embellished with 24-karat gold leaf applications in the hollowed-out parts to enhance the detail.

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THE HANDOVER CEREMONY

In the morning we are joined at the hotel by the Italian ambassador who takes us to the palace of the Amiri Diwan, the sovereign body and administrative office of the Amir. We are escorted them to the office of the emir's chief of protocol, who offers us a typical drink and where we engage in an amiable half-hour chat.

We are then taken to visit the display cases of Qatari symbols and then, escorted by the royal guards, we are escorted to the institutional meeting room where the official palace photographer captures the moment of the handing over of the Qatari state coat of arms.

Before we leave we are presented with silver gifts with a personal note of thanks from His Highness Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, Emir of Qatar