Thomas Lyte are honoured to be the designers and makers of the King Abdulaziz Camel Festival Trophies. Each piece is crafted by hand every year in London at the Thomas Lyte workshops. Our specialist trophy designers and master goldsmiths and silversmiths work directly with Saudi Arabia’s Camel Club to prepare the trophies for one of the most anticipated cultural events on the Arabian Peninsula.
The camel is the animal most closely associated with Saudi Arabia and have been man’s companion for thousands of years since playing an integral part in the rise of ancient cultures. They play a central role in the economic and cultural lives of the people of the Arabian Peninsula. This is particularly the case for those living in the desert regions where the camel is described as a “survival tool.” Camel herding and ownership are still practiced today, with breeders keeping detailed genealogies.
Keen to celebrate Arab culture, The Saudi Arabian Camel Club work tirelessly to secure a bright future for the desert animal by educating people about the camel’s history, the role that they play, as well as improving their living environment. They also pave the way for camel owners to access large markets, and the provision of veterinary equipment while also preserving rare breeds.
The King Abdul-Aziz Festival for Camels is an annual cultural, economic, sports and entertainment festival in Saudi Arabia under royal patronage. It aims to consolidate and strengthen the camel heritage in the Saudi, Arab and Islamic culture and provide a cultural, tourist, sports, leisure and economic destination for camels and their heritage.
The first ever camel race in Saudi Arabia was held in 1963, launched by the late emir of Al-Jouf, Prince Abdulrahman Al-Sudairi.
In recent years the Camel Club has connected owners in the Kingdom with their counterparts worldwide, opening the door for greater international participation in the King Abdulaziz Camel Festival. Camel owners from France, the US and Mexico competed in the international open round of the festival’s previous edition, with some the winning prizes crafted by Thomas Lyte.
Thomas Lyte are honoured to note that King Salman himself graciously hands the trophies to the deserved winners on the final day of the Camel Festival at its venue near the capital Riyadh. The king’s patronage of the festival is a fine example of the tremendous mandate that the Camel Club receive from all in Saudi Arabia to preserve and celebrate their ancient heritage.
