Robert Mouawad Private Museum
Museum in Beirut, Lebanon
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Robert Mouawad Private Museum (Arabic: متحف روبير معوض الخاص) is a private residence in Beirut’s Zokak el-Blat quarter that was converted into a museum by the Lebanese businessman Robert Mouawad.
| Established | May 11, 2006 |
|---|---|
| Location | Beirut, Lebanon |
| Coordinates | 33.895325°N 35.498981°E |
| Type | Archaeological |
| Website | www |
The palace was built in the neo-Gothic style by the Lebanese politician and art collector Henri Philippe Pharaoun in 1891.[1][2] The museum was inaugurated on 11 May 2006. It houses objects of value reflecting a blend of artistic oriental and occidental influences, as well as a collection of rare books, Chinese porcelain, ceramics, and other significant artifacts.[3][4]
The palace’s architecture and design reflect Pharaoun’s fascination with Islamic Art and include decorative wooden panels dating back to the 17th century, acquired especially after his repeated travels to Syria.[5] Other displayed artifacts include Byzantine mosaics, Roman marble sculptures, jars and jugs, historical columns, pottery, ancient weapons, unique carpets, jewelry, precious stones, Melkite Catholic icons, and preserved manuscripts.[6][7]
The museum was closed following the 2020 Beirut explosion.[8] It has since reopened.[9][10]