3,000-Year-Old Pillsbury Owl Restored After Visitor Damage

The iconic bronze sculpture is back on display at the Minneapolis Institute of Art.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 10:21pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of the ornate, textured bronze surface of the Pillsbury Owl sculpture, its rich patina and intricate details highlighted by dramatic studio lighting.The restored Pillsbury Owl, a 3,000-year-old Chinese bronze sculpture, shines with renewed luster after painstaking conservation efforts.Minneapolis Today

The Pillsbury Owl, a 3,000-year-old bronze sculpture from China's Shang dynasty that was accidentally damaged by a museum visitor in 2023, has been restored and is now back on display at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. The restoration was supported by a grant from Bank of America's Art Conservation Project.

Why it matters

The Pillsbury Owl is one of the earliest known Chinese bronze sculptures in an American museum collection and a beloved art object at the MIA. Its restoration allows the museum to continue educating visitors about this important cultural artifact and the history of Chinese art.

The details

Staff at the MIA worked with a curator based in Japan to help restore the damaged owl. The restoration process allowed the museum to return the sculpture to its original integrity, with barely visible signs of the previous damage. The Pillsbury Owl is a 'zun', a ritual wine vessel used in ceremonies honoring ancestors, and one of only a few remaining examples from the Shang dynasty.

  • The Pillsbury Owl was accidentally damaged by a museum visitor in 2023.
  • The restoration work was completed in 2026, and the owl is now back on display at the Minneapolis Institute of Art.

The players

Minneapolis Institute of Art

A renowned art museum in Minneapolis, Minnesota that houses a collection of over 89,000 works of art, including the 3,000-year-old Pillsbury Owl.

Yang Liu

A curator at the Minneapolis Institute of Art who oversaw the restoration of the Pillsbury Owl.

Lucas Giambelluca

A representative from Bank of America, which provided a grant through its Art Conservation Project to support the restoration of the Pillsbury Owl.

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What they’re saying

“The owl has returned to its originally integrity. You can barely see the damage.”

— Yang Liu, Curator, Minneapolis Institute of Art

“These investments create opportunities for engagement, education and inspiration”

— Lucas Giambelluca, Bank of America representative

“Learning about new discoveries made during the conservation and celebrating its return to public view are moments worth celebrating”

— Lucas Giambelluca, Bank of America representative

What’s next

The Minneapolis Institute of Art plans to host a special event to celebrate the return of the Pillsbury Owl to its galleries on May 1, 2026.

The takeaway

The restoration of the Pillsbury Owl, a significant cultural artifact, demonstrates the importance of conservation efforts and the value that museums provide in preserving and sharing humanity's artistic heritage with the public.