With the help of The European Fine Art Foundation (TEFAF)’s Museum Restoration Fund, 8 ancient glass vessels that were severely damaged in the Beirut Blast will be restored.
These 8 pieces, from the Roman and early Islamic periods, were at the Archeological Museum of the American University of Beirut (AUB), the third oldest museum in the Middle East.
On August 4th, 2020, the explosion that took place in the Beirut Port, only 3.2 km away from the museum, shattered a case displaying 72 Roman, Byzantine, and Islamic-era glass artifacts.
Out of the 72, only 15 were salvable, and only 8 can be transported safely to London where they will be restored at the conservation laboratories of the British Museum, TEFAF announced in a press release.
“As we mark one year since the tragedy, we’re pleased to be able to provide the expertise and resources of the British Museum to restore these important ancient objects so they can be enjoyed in Lebanon for many more years to come,” said Hartwig Fischer, Director of the British Museum.
