Etihad Antique Gallery, Abu Dhabi Overview

The Etihad Antique Gallery is found in a villa in Al Bateen, and is home to a wide collection of Islamic, European, Arabian and Middle Eastern antiques, artefacts and art pieces. The gallery was initially only for private viewing, but is now open to the public.

The gallery is connected to an adjacent villa, the Etihad Modern Art Gallery, which boasts a collection of local contemporary artworks. The exhibitions at both the galleries not only help to promote contemporary art, but also emphasize on the importance of preserving the past and history of the region.

Collection of artworks

The Etihad Antique Gallery was established by the two art aficionados, Khalid Seddiq Al-Mutawa and Mohammed Khalil Ibrahim, with an aim to create an inviting space and bring together art and people. The guides are experienced and knowledgeable about the history and background of the collection in the gallery. Visitors are allowed to sell antiques and even purchase their favourite pieces from the collection if they wish to do so.

The Etihad Antique Gallery holds a collection of approximately 1,500 antiques, including over 300 Orientalist paintings by artists like Rudolph Ernst, and Orientalist statues by artists like Franz Bergman and Louis Hottot. The collection also features preserved pottery, urns, 300-year-old bronze coffee and teapots, Ottoman and Persian swords that are centuries old, swords and other pieces of body armour.

Interiors at the Etihad Antiques Gallery — Source

Etihad Modern Art Gallery

Located adjacent to the Etihad Antique Gallery, this modern art gallery displays artworks of local artists, as well as members of the Abu Dhabi Art Squad. Some of the works on display include Greek photographer Yiannis Roussakis’ collection of black-and-white images of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and an abaya made entirely of coloured coffee beans.

The art gallery often hosts art shows and exhibitions, and also invites artists from around the world, to promote art in the city. It is open from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM from Saturday to Thursday, and remains closed on Friday.

Art House Cafe

One can also enjoy a cup of coffee or a meal at the café adjoining the two galleries. The Art House café boasts an out-of-the-box ambience and décor, with its gas cylinders turned into stools, barrels converted into tables and glass bottles and pipes as wall lamps. Its vast selection of dishes can be ideal for breakfast, lunch, dinner or just a snack. It is open from 9:00 AM to 11:30 PM daily.

How To Reach Etihad Antique Gallery

The Etihad Antique Gallery is located on Al Falah Street, behind Al Bateen Mall in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, and the Etihad Modern Art Gallery is adjacent to the antique gallery. The Art House Café can be found in Villa 4/2 on Street 4, adjacent to the Etihad Antique Gallery. One can get here by car, taxi or bus.

If you are travelling by bus, you can take bus number 09 or 010 from Al Karamah Street till Al Mahaweb School, and walk to the Etihad Antique Gallery from there (approximately 700 metres). Another option is to take bus number 011 from Sheikh Khalifa Medical City till Al Bateen Muicipality, and walk to the Etihad Antique Gallery from there (approximately 400 metres).