Albert and John Delia, proprietors of the firm Gio Batta Delia of Valletta, have donated to Heritage Malta a plaster bust of their grandfather, Giovanni Battista Delia (1882-1973) who started the family business at the turn of the 20th century.

The presentation was held at the National Museum of Fine Arts in the presence of Heritage Malta chairman Mario Tabone who augured that more families would come forward and donate artefacts that would become part of the country's national heritage.

Giovanni Battista Delia was a well-known painter, sculptor and entrepreneur. Born in 1882 in Cospicua, Delia studied art under the guidance of drawing master Guze Duca who was very impressed with his talent.

In 1901, Delia set up a small furniture shop in Cospicua and later moved to Valletta where he set up shop in Strada Reale, today Republic Street, opposite the royal opera house.

Apart from his business acumen, Delia was also well known for his artistic talents in woodcarving. His most famous work is that of the statue of the Immaculate Conception, which he donated to the collegiate of St Paul in Valletta.

The bronze bust of Gio Batta Delia, completed in 1936, is the work of the late Emmanuel Borg Gauci (1911-1991) who, in 1961, was awarded the prestigious Commonwealth Royal Society of British Sculptures Award.

For many years Mr Borg Gauci was employed with the Museums Department as a restorer of paintings.