Dubai • A necklace presented to legendary Arab singer Um Kulthum by Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the late UAE president, is expected to fetch anything from $80,000 to $120,000 when it is put up for auction by Christie’s at the ‘Contemporary Jewels and Watches’ sale in Dubai late next month.

The pearl necklace (pictured left) has been up for sale by her family members. The late singer was revered in the Arab world and millions thronged the Cairo streets for her funeral in 1975. Known as ‘The Shining Star of the Middle East’ she regaled spellbound audiences worldwide with her vocal talents and received treatment on a par with heads of state in Arab countries.

The nine-row pearl necklace with multi-coloured enamel and white stone details in the style of a traditional Indian ‘Stalada’ necklace, was created around 1880 and consists of an estimated 1,888 pearls. A family member said: “She used to treat the pearl necklace with absolute care and it was one of her favourites because it was given to her by the late Sheikh Zayed Al Nahyan.

“Christie’s is proud to be offering for sale Um Kulthum’s necklace, one of the most famous Arab women in history and we look forward with great excitement to our April 29 sale,” said Michael Jeha, Managing Director of Christie’s (Middle East). Um Kulthum’s repertoire included more than 300 songs with themes ranging from love to nationalism to religion. The majority were sung in colloquial Arabic.

Um Kulthum with Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

She was relentless in her charitable work and was the spokeswoman for numerous good causes. Advocating governmental support for Arabic music and musicians, she endowed a charitable foundation and, most importantly, after the Egyptian defeat in the 1967 war, she began a series of domestic and international concerts for Egypt. When on February 4, 1975, Egyptian radio aired the chanting of the Holy Qur’an, it was a sign that someone important had died. The singer’s funeral drew more than four million people to the streets of Cairo to publicly mourn her passing. 

In her honour the Egyptian government opened the Kawkab Al Sharq Museum at the Manesterli Palace (Star of the East), dedicated to her life and work. The museum contains many of her personal items as well as her dresses and even her trademark glasses. Described as ‘The Incomparable Voice’’ by famed opera star Maria Callas, Um Kulthum was more than a musician — she became the voice and face of Egypt.