British Museum to restore objects damaged in Beirut blast
The First Art Newspaper on the Net    Established in 1996 Friday, October 11, 2024


British Museum to restore objects damaged in Beirut blast
Completing "puzzle-work" of a smashed glass beaker at the Archaeological Museum, AUB. Courtesy of the AUB Office of Communications and Archaeological Museum.



LONDON (AFP).- The British Museum will restore eight ancient glass artefacts damaged in last year's Beirut port explosion, the London cultural institution announced on Tuesday.

The glass vessels were shattered after 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate stored in Beirut's port caused a blast that devastated the city on August 4, 2020.

Workers will piece together hundreds of glass fragments at the British Museum's conservation laboratories in London with funding from The European Fine Art Foundation (TEFAF).

"These objects hold immense historical, artistic and cultural significance. Their return to their rightful form is a powerful symbol of healing and resilience after disaster," said TEFAF chairman Hidde van Seggelen.

The artefacts were held in a case displaying 74 Roman, Byzantine and Islamic-era glass vessels in the American University of Beirut's Archaeological Museum, located 3.2 kilometres (two miles) from the blast.

The explosion caused them to shatter into hundreds of pieces, which were mixed with broken glass from cabinets and windows.

Only 15 vessels were deemed salvageable and eight safe to travel to London for restoration.

Sandra Smith, head of collection care at the British Museum, explained that glass reconstruction is a "delicate process" as shards move out of shape and have to be drawn back under tension.

The vessels, dating back to the first century BC, document the evolution of glass-production technology in Lebanon, with two thought to have been imported from Syria or Egypt.

The works will temporarily go on display at the British Museum before returning to Beirut.

Director Hartwig Fischer said the British Museum's "expertise and resources" would allow the artefacts to be saved and "enjoyed in Lebanon for many more years to come".

The August 2020 blast killed more than 200 people, caused millions of dollars' worth of damage and forced the Lebanese government to resign, exacerbating the country's health and economic crises.


© Agence France-Presse










Today's News

July 28, 2021

British Museum to restore objects damaged in Beirut blast

Asia Week New York announces 'The Color that Changed the World: The Impact of Blue in Asian Art' webinar

Design Museum hopes 11th director's the charm

Sotheby's announces a sale of British Contemporary and Pop Art from the collection of David Ross

Christie's announces move to new Asia Pacific headquarters

Ronati unshackles art and antiques dealers from their keyboards with one-stop software for managing stock online

National Museum of Norway announces opening date of new building

100+ masterpieces of French Impressionism come to Melbourne direct from Boston's Museum of Fine Arts

MASSIMODECARLO announces the representation of Jenna Gribbon

The Museo Nacional del Prado adds to its exhibits a Picasso from the Aramont Art Collection

Guggenheim appoints Ty Woodfolk and Trish Jeffers to new positions

1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair announces details of 9th London edition

Mexico's Tlaxcala cathedral wins UNESCO world heritage status

V&A's blockbuster exhibition Alice: Curiouser and Curiouser to be adapted for the big screen

Sally Miller Gearhart, lesbian writer and activist, dies at 90

Elliot Lawrence, award-winning conductor, dies at 96

New York's Met Opera mandates vaccines for new season

Vienna's Secession opens an exhibition of works by Karimah Ashadu

Romania cheers as gold mines get world heritage nod

French city of Nice wins UNESCO world heritage status

Thailand forest park gets World Heritage nod despite indigenous rights warning

Kazuo Ishiguro among 13 contenders for 2021 Booker Prize

American Ballet Theater's executive director announces her departure

Centre d'Art Contemporain Genève announces the upcoming Biennale de l'Image en Mouvement 2021

Top 5 fast payout online casinos in the USA

Know All About Vaccines And Jobs In South Africa

PHOENIX MELVILLE - ARTISTIC GENIUS A GLOBAL LEADER OF TOMORROW

How Much does it cost to move a Piano?

Juice Wrld shop

Tips for choosing the best artwork for your home décor

Top 5 Jewelry Brands in Canada




Museums, Exhibits, Artists, Milestones, Digital Art, Architecture, Photography,
Photographers, Special Photos, Special Reports, Featured Stories, Auctions, Art Fairs,
Anecdotes, Art Quiz, Education, Mythology, 3D Images, Last Week, .

 



Founder:
Ignacio Villarreal
(1941 - 2019)
Editor & Publisher: Jose Villarreal
Art Director: Juan José Sepúlveda Ramírez
Writer: Ofelia Zurbia Betancourt

Attorneys
Truck Accident Attorneys
Accident Attorneys
Holistic Dentist
Abogado de accidentes

Royalville Communications, Inc
produces:

ignaciovillarreal.org juncodelavega.com facundocabral-elfinal.org
Founder's Site. Hommage
to a Mexican poet.
Hommage
       

The First Art Newspaper on the Net. The Best Versions Of Ave Maria Song Junco de la Vega Site Ignacio Villarreal Site Parroquia Natividad del Señor
Tell a Friend
Dear User, please complete the form below in order to recommend the Artdaily newsletter to someone you know.
Please complete all fields marked *.
Sending Mail
Sending Successful