In Conversation: Aisha Al Attiya on Creating Houbara Haven

Al Attiya designed Houbara Haven in white gold, diamonds and natural pearls. Drawing on the desert landscape, the tiara brings together the houbara bird sheltering within the thorned branches of the Awsaj (Arabian boxthorn), while the falcon circles overhead. Commissioned by Alfardan Jewellery and Qatar Museums (QM), the piece took 850 hours to complete at Chaumet’s Place Vendôme workshop.

Native to Qatar, the Awsaj grows in the desert, its thorny branches providing shelter for birds and small wildlife. The houbara bustard is the focus of ongoing conservation work. Breeding centres release birds into the wild each year, working to keep the species alive and protect Qatar's falconry heritage.

Al Attiya serves as Director of Cultural Diplomacy at Qatar Museums. She won the Chaumet Tiara Project from among over 80 applicants across the MENA region. The tiara was shown at M7 from 27 October 2025 to 12 January 2026 before entering QM's permanent collection.

Al Attiya's artistic practice began in childhood with oil painting, acrylics, watercolours and ceramics. Her recent ceramic works combine different underglazes and techniques. She has explored jewellery design since 2021, drawing on natural forms and material experimentation.

Q. When you chose the houbara, what was the first personal memory it brought to you?

Aisha Al Attiya: The houbara reminds me of my father's stories about the desert, its wildlife, and falconry. It symbolises the bond between people and heritage, shaping my design of the tiara.

Q. Did you grow up with stories or cultural references about this bird that stayed with you?

Al Attiya: [My father] emphasised patience, respect, and the delicate balance of nature [in his stories], which shaped my perception of the houbara as more than a bird.

Q. Which part of the Qatari landscape or desert atmosphere shaped the mood and form of this piece?

Al Attiya: I combined features from both Qatar's desert and marine environments to highlight the nation's natural beauty and cultural heritage. By integrating pearls within Awsaj flowers, alongside elements such as the Awsaj branch, the houbara, and the falcon, I developed a work that embodies resilience and elegance.

Q. How does the houbara sit in your imagination?

Al Attiya: Beautiful, elegant, shy bird that possesses a remarkable survival instinct, viewing the thorns of the Awsaj as valuable protection.

The tiara combines white gold branches with natural pearls from Alfardan Jewellery and diamonds. The branches form the Awsaj tree's structure, with pearls clustering where fruit would grow and diamonds map the flower petals and the houbara's feathers. Each stone was set individually and the white gold was engraved to show texture.

Q. Did falconry or traditional hunting practices influence your approach in any way?

Al Attiya: Yes, however, I wanted to tell nature's story from its own perspective, capturing the sanctuary provided by the resilient Awsaj tree in the desert. Its thorns protect the houbara bird from predators like the falcon, which itself symbolises strength and power. The houbara's determination shows survival against the odds. The tiara's design draws on these elements, reflecting the traditions of falconry and hunting, as well as the desert ecosystem.

Q. Is there a word or phrase in Arabic that captures the spirit of this tiara for you?

Al Attiya: The Houbara Haven ملاذ الحبارى. The title reflects ideas of sanctuary, protection, and a balanced connection with nature. "Haven" not only describes the Awsaj as a safe refuge for the houbara but also represents Qatar as a haven for its people.

Q. What aspect of the houbara did you try hardest to capture in the design?

Al Attiya: The houbara's posture and elegance are genuinely captivating, embodying a blend of beauty and charm.

Q. When Chaumet interpreted your design, what surprised you most about how they understood your vision?

Al Attiya: Chaumet's craftsmanship captured the emotional and cultural meaning of the design, going beyond imitation to beautifully convey its story.

The exhibition at M7 showed the tiara's journey from sketch to finished piece. Design drawings were displayed alongside the completed work. Visitors saw the individual components before assembly, which included the curved band, the diamond-set wings, and the pearl-centered flowers. The exhibition design followed the falcon's movement, guiding visitors through the space before revealing the tiara.

Q. If the tiara were a moment in your own life, what moment would it represent?

Al Attiya: If the tiara were a moment in my life, it would reflect the beginning of a new chapter, one characterised by a sense of pride, joy and accomplishment.

The 850 hours at Place Vendôme involved close collaboration between Al Attiya and Chaumet's artisans. The work included crafting, setting, polishing and engraving. Each component—the branches, the flowers, and the wings, was made separately, then assembled.

The piece now sits in Qatar Museums' permanent collection. The exhibition preserved the creation process through sketches, photographs and documentation.