A visitor tripped and damaged a priceless piece of art on display at Mia last month.
Visitor damages ancient owl in Minneapolis Institute of Art's Chinese Bronzes exhibition
The museum is currently assessing damages and conservation needs.
May 8, 2023 at 11:07AM
The piece, a 12th- or 13th-century B.C. bronze owl-shaped wine vessel nicknamed the "Pillsbury Owl," sat at the entrance to the museum's fantastical exhibition "Eternal Offerings: Chinese Ritual Bronzes."
According to a Mia spokesperson, the owl, which was on display up until April 9, has been removed from the exhibition for assessment and conservation. It will be repaired, but the timeline is unclear. The museum said it continues to monitor and enhance its safety measures.
The owl has been replaced with a set of bronze winged dragons, which were already on view in the second gallery of the exhibition.
The exhibition closes May 21.
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