Tripoli: The Libyan Department of Antiquities has received a significant historical artifact, a rare mirror from the era of Yusuf Pasha al-Qaramanli, who reigned from 1795 to 1832. The acquisition was marked by a ceremony attended by Prime Minister Abdelhamid Dbaiba of the Government of National Unity. The mirror was retrieved through the efforts of the team behind the historical drama series “Al-Saraya,” which chronicles the Qaramanli dynasty from 1711 to 1835.
According to Libyan News Agency, the handover event was attended by Ferial Sharaf al-Din, a management committee member of the Department of Antiquities, alongside “Al-Saraya” series writer Siraj Huwaidi and director Osama Rizq. The gathering also included cultural figures, researchers, and historians, as confirmed by the government’s media office.
Historical researcher Abdel-Muttalib Abu Salem highlighted that the mirror carries the emblem of the Qaramanli state, established in 1711 by Ahmed Pasha al-Qaramanli. The emblem featured the royal crown and state flag with alternating red and yellow stripes, symbols of the state’s independent rule.
Abu Salem further elaborated that the mirror, crafted in France in the Baroque style, mirrors the artistic styles of European courts and kingdoms of that era. This artifact reflects the diplomatic and cultural ties of the Qaramanli state, evident through the draft constitution of 1822 and the African Explorer newspaper’s publication in 1827.
He added that the mirror is not just an exquisite artifact but a representation of the nascent modern Libyan identity. It dates to the early 19th century, a crucial phase in Libyan history marked by the formation of governing bodies and expanding international relations. During this period, Libya, known as the Kingdom of Tripoli, entered into peace and trade agreements with numerous European kingdoms.
The Department of Antiquities has announced that the mirror will be showcased in the Qaramanli family section at the Libyan National Museum. The museum is set to open on December 12, and the mirror will be a central exhibit, illustrating the narrative of Libya’s historical evolution.