Robert Mouawad Private Museum, Private museum in Zokak el-Blat, Lebanon
The Robert Mouawad Private Museum houses rare books, Chinese porcelain, ceramics, Byzantine mosaics, Roman marble sculptures, weapons, carpets, and jewelry spanning multiple periods. The collection draws from different civilizations and centuries, creating a broad view of decorative and functional art.
The building itself is a neo-gothic palace built in 1891 by Lebanese politician Henri Philippe Pharaoun. Its design blended Islamic artistic elements with European architecture, reflecting the cultural mixing of that era.
The rooms feature decorative wooden panels and religious icons that blend Eastern and Western artistic traditions together. Walking through, you notice how different cultures left their mark on what people collected and valued.
The museum is located in downtown Beirut and is best explored on foot, though you'll encounter stairs as you navigate the narrow old streets. Be aware that extensive refurbishment work is underway, which may affect access or viewing conditions at various times.
The collection includes a jewelry piece known as the Fantasy Bra, decorated with precious stones and crafted in the museum's workshops. This unusual artwork shows how the museum applies traditional jewelry-making techniques to unexpected contemporary objects.
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