The Eretz Israel Museum was badly in need of an update but there were some truly beautiful pieces in the glass gallery.
Visited: 1 February 2018
The Eretz Museum was established on the site of an archaeological dig. So as you wonder from pavilion to pavilion you stumble on parts of the dig. This isn’t one of them! This is a blacksmith’s workshop from the 14th century CE found near Eilat and moved to the museum in 1971.
Very fine enamel painting of a fly in the bottom of a glass. The English language caption didn’t mention it at all! Attributed to Anton Kothgasser (1769-1851), Vienna, Austria, 1812-1830.
There were some beautiful contemporary works in the glass gallery as well.
Islamic glass game piece of a pigeon from the 12th to 15th centuries. Super tiny (as big as a thumbnail) and super cute.
Beautiful suit of armour made completely of glass. Not designed for use! The work of Israeli artist Boris Shpeizman from a series titled ‘The Sacred Band’, 2015. It is a comment on the stereotypical gender roles through the blending of feminine aesthetics with a male theme.
I love a beautiful tile mosaic. ‘The Bird Mosaic’ discovered in Bet Guvrin (Eleutheropolis) in 1921, believed to date back to the Byzantine (6th century CE).
I was surprised at how surprised I was by seeing this. This museum was found in 1958 and some of the displays looked like they hadn’t been updated since then. I like to think we have moved beyond this kind of language in museums now.
Sophie Couchman 