One of Bahrain's most prominent silversmiths, affectionately known as the 'Baba of Manama Suq', passed away today.
Abdulrazaq Al Roomi, who once crafted a silver palm tree for Queen Elizabeth II in honour of her coronation, produced handmade jewellery, medallions, miniature Arabian kettles and necklaces from 1963 until his retirement.
Mr Al Roomi was 10 years old when he started learning the craft from his father Barakat Khalid Al Roomi, a silversmith who came to Bahrain from Iraq in the 1940s.
In the early 1950s, a young Mr Al Roomi had a chance encounter in the suq with Charles Belgrave, adviser to the rulers of Bahrain from 1926 to 1957, and found himself serving tea to him and his entourage.
He retired in 2022 due to deteriorating health after working at his shop for nearly six decades.
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