Painted Camel Bladder Lamp

Object/Artifact

-

L.T. Jordan Institute for International Awareness

Camel bladder lamp: The camel bladder lamp is a large sphere on a wooden base, featuring a delicate pattern of brightly colored flowers.
Camel bladder lamp

The camel bladder lamp is a large sphere on a wooden base, featuring a delicate pattern of brightly colored flowers.

Name/Title

Painted Camel Bladder Lamp

Entry/Object ID

JI2025000490

Description

Camel bladder lamp painted with flowers in bright colors.

Context

Sheikh Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the ruler of Kuwait from 1921-1950, loved Mr. and Mrs. Jordan and even referred to them as his children. Upon his passing, his favorite camel was killed in his honor and the bladder (the choice part of the camel) was given to Mrs. Jordan who had it made into a lamp shade by a Pakistani sign painter. An electrical engineer from India prepared the lighting for the lamp and the stand it sits upon was made in Damascus and was a gift to Mrs. Jordan by the President of Syria.

Ethnography

Cultural Region

Country

Kuwait, Pakistan

Continent

Asia