Correspondence set in silver (925). Arabian Peninsula, Arabian Gulf, Bahrain. A "925" silver desk set, including a letter opener, a paperweight medal, a pocket cup and a business card case. All four pieces feature two ancient Dilmun figures facing each other in a medallion. The medal bears an inscription in English and Arabic "Delmon Seals 3000 B.C." around the central central motif. The set is presented in its original white case decorated with the Royal Coat of Arms of Bahrain. Provenance: Royal Family of Bahrain. This box was offered as a personal token of esteem. The stylized figures adorning the medallions of this desk set are reproductions of the "Dilmun Seals". The Dilmun culture dates back to the 3rd millennium BC (2300-500 BC). Dilmun is the ancient name of the island of Bahrain, which, thanks to its ideal position between the Arabian Peninsula and the Middle East, was, and still is, an important and prosperous commercial crossroads. The ancient Dilmun people engraved scenes of everyday life on small supports made of wood, stone, metal or shell, known as "Dilmun seals", which are a priceless testimony to life at that time, some of them found in tombs from the early Dilmun culture (2200-1750 BC) on the western part of the island. The reproduction of these seals highlights Bahrain's rich archaeological heritage. The Kingdom of Bahrain (Bahrain meaning "the two seas") is a constitutional monarchy on the Arabian Peninsula and an island state whose capital is Manama. The archipelago, named after its main island (al-Bahrayn), is located in the Persian Gulf between Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Bahrain has been independent since 1783, and has since been ruled by the Sunni Al Khalifa ruling family. The Emirate of Bahrain, the majority of whose population is Shiite, has been a kingdom since 2002, ruled by King Hamad bin Issa Al Khalifa (b. 1950). From his four wives, the king has had seven sons and five daughters. Expert: Laure Soustiel (SFEP expert) Tel: 06 09 47 27 31 e-mail: laure@soustiel.com