Posted on 05/09/2023 2:59:57 PM PDT by nickcarraway
An ancient artifact was damaged when a visitor tripped at the Minneapolis Institute of Art last month, according to the StarTribune.
The Pillsbury Owl, a 12th- or 13th-century BCE bronze owl-shaped wine vessel, was at the entrance of the museum’s exhibition “Eternal Offerings: Chinese Ritual Bronzes” when the damage occurred on April 9. Shang-dynasty (ca. 1600–1046 BCE) aristocrats would have used the vessel in rituals offerings to honor their ancestors.
A museum spokesperson confirmed that the vessel has since been removed from the show for further assessment and conservation. The extent of the damage, as well as how long conservation efforts on the artwork will take, however, remains unclear.
No visitors or staff were harmed during the incident. The museum will “continue to monitor and enhance measures to prevent accidents”, according to spokesperson.
In the owl’s place now sits a set of bronze winged dragons from the 4th- or 5th-century BCE, which were already on view and moved from the second gallery of the exhibition.
It caused quite a flap.
UPDATED 9 MAY, 2023 - 22:58 NATHAN FALDE
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Oh man, what a cute little objecto del arto (Spanish lingo).
Modern reproductions are available:
if the statue could talk, it would say ‘Owl be back.”
The museum curator said “I minerva shrek.”
Thanks for the hoots. I’m all out of puns for this subject. :)
That last one was hard, I’m glad you liked it, because there’s not a lot to do with owl puns, it’s like a game of jenga...
Just between you and me it looks like a penguin.
5.56mm
Yes Minerva Shrek was a good one.
Thanks again for posting such interesting articles of various interests. Your work is appreciated.
Thanks!
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