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Pillsbury Owl Restored, Returns to Minneapolis Art Museum

4/18/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The Pillsbury Owl, a 3,000-year-old bronze artifact, has returned to the Minneapolis Institute of Art after damage by a visitor in 2023.
Staff collaborated with a Japanese curator to restore the owl.
The artifact is classified as a "zun," a Shang dynasty ritual wine vessel.
Bank of America's 2025 Art Conservation Project funded the restoration.
Yang Liu of the Minneapolis Institute of Art said the owl has regained its original integrity.

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Story summary

The Pillsbury Owl, a 3,000-year-old bronze artifact, has returned to the Minneapolis Institute of Art after damage by a visitor in 2023.
Staff collaborated with a Japanese curator to restore the owl.
The artifact is classified as a "zun," a Shang dynasty ritual wine vessel.
Bank of America's 2025 Art Conservation Project funded the restoration.
Yang Liu of the Minneapolis Institute of Art said the owl has regained its original integrity.