A "generous collection of historical artefacts" was donated to Heritage Malta by local collector Paul Zammit, intended to be displayed at the Grand Master's Palace in Valletta, the Ministry for National Heritage stated.

The Ministry said that this donation is one of the largest contributions that the national collection has ever received since the establishment of the Committee for the Administration of the Museum in 1903.

The donated collection, the Ministry said, includes artefacts from the 16th to the 18th century, ranging from furniture, paintings, chandeliers, and tapestries. It continued that stand out among the artefacts are a wardrobe from the time of the Great Siege and two 17th century tapestries depicting biblical scenes, among other notable items. It added that the two tapestries were transported to the De Wit Royal Manufacturers in Belgium in order to be conserved together with the Palace tapestries that began being treated last year.

The Ministry stated that most of the items which Zammit donated originate from Malta, but there are also some that are Italian, French, and English. It added that the donated collection will be displayed in seven different spaces in the Palace, as it commented that the items will enrich the national collection and improve the visitor experience.

Minister Owen Bonnici said that there were 132 donations registered to Heritage Malta in 2024, with the donations including thousands of artefacts and natural specimens, ranging from insect collections to clothing, documents, tools, and artistic objects.

"These contributions enrich our cultural heritage and strengthen research and exhibitions. Donations of objects of historical, cultural, archaeological, natural value, are conserved in the highest standards to ensure that they remain with us to tell their stories to future generations. Such contributions expand the scope for the study and interpretation of our past, thus shedding light on new and unexplored aspects of our country's heritage," Bonnici said.

Mario Cutajar, Chairperson of Heritage Malta, commented that Heritage Malta is the natural home for such collections which are gathered with so much love and care, as he remarked that with Heritage Malta they can continue to be appreciated, studied, and also find new audiences. "Contributions like this continue to grow and strengthen the national collections, through which we recognize ourselves," he said.

Heritage Malta CEO Noel Zammit expressed his gratitude for the generous contribution and said that such donations fill Heritage Malta with new energy, "Not only because they are strong displays of confidence in the work of the agency, but also because they help it in fulfilling its mission to preserve, conserve, and make accessible our cultural heritage."

Paul Zammit, who donated the items, said that the donation of these artefacts to the Palace of the Grand Master felt like a natural route, as he added that the artefacts will be able to continue to fascinate and inspire visitors and researchers for years to come, as well as potentially encourage more people to do the same as him.