Galactic Antiquities and Objects of Interest

"We often refer to the gallery as Coruscant's unofficial temple of patience."

―Luthen Rael^[1]

Galactic Antiquities and Objects of Interest^[2] was a gallery operated by the antique dealer Luthen Rael and located on the planet Coruscant. Seemingly nothing more than a high-end establishment catering towards wealthy collectors, in reality the gallery was a front to conceal its true purpose: to serve as a secret meeting place for dissenters of the Galactic Empire that had earned the trust of Rael and his associate, Kleya Marki.

History[]

"Free your mind, Senator. This is a place where time stands still. It's hard being surrounded with this much history and not be humbled by the insignificance of our daily anxieties."
"How true. And how I need to hear that."

―Luthen Rael and Mon Mothma^[1]

In 5 BBY,^[3] Imperial Senator Mon Mothma of Chandrila visited the gallery, ostensibly to procure a Day of Days gift for her husband, Perrin Fertha. Once away from prying eyes, however, she and Rael discussed their growing concerns over increased Imperial surveillance and the possibility of bringing new members into their circle.^[1]

Despite its true purpose as a front for rebellious organizing, the gallery did indeed house a number of authentic and rare artifacts. These ranged from military paraphernalia such as a set of Mandalorian armor, Sith armor, a Gungan personal energy shield and an Utapaun monk cudgel to more artistic pieces like a Kashyyyk clarion and a Twi'lek Kalikori. During their 5 BBY meeting, Rael gave a bas-relief on loan to Mothma. The piece depicted a two-faced divinity that was part-sun goddess, part-serpent.^[1]

The night after, Rael stayed up late trying to find out how the rebel group on Aldhani was when he was found by his associate Kleya who reminded him that there was nothing else he could do for them so he simply needed to wait to find out if the mission was successful or not.^[4] The next morning Kleya showed a female customer several necklaces for sale with the woman taking a particular liking to one made with Devaron blue. Rael then told the woman that the necklace was inscribed in a language that had been forgotten which the woman found to be sad but Rael claimed that it was "liberating" as she could decide what it said and could be her own secret language. Rael was then jokingly asked by another customer if they had anything from Aldahani. When Rael looked at him confused the man explained that there had been a rebel attack there the night before that was all over the news. Rael then claimed he would have to look in the back to see if they had anything where he let out a laugh at the realization that the plan was successful.^[5]

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Behind the scenes[]

"It was a real treat to get to work with [Stellan Skarsgård], and that scene you're talking about in the gallery might be the first time we meet Mon Mothma in the season. It beautifully sets up what I think we're trying to do with Mon Mothma, which is to meet the public face and unveil the private woman within it. That beautiful gallery set, which was designed by Luke Hull, also mirrors that within the scene. You enter a very public space, and then you go back behind a corner and we have a private interplay. So it allows for a play and a creativity, both within the space, but also between myself and Stellan, which feels genuinely full of energy."

―Genevieve O'Reilly^[6]

The gallery was first pictured in the first trailer for the Disney+ television series Andor.^[7] It first appeared in "Aldhani," the fourth episode of the series.^[1] It was first identified by Kleya Marki's entry in the Databank.^[2]

The gallery was designed by^[6] production designer^[3] Luke Hull. The gallery's public space and private area were meant to mirror Mon Mothma's public face and the private woman within her. The set allowed for creativity between Genevieve O'Reilly and Stellan Skarsgård, the actors who played Mon Mothma^[6] and Luthen Rael, respectively.^[1] Executive producer^[3] Tony Gilroy was not aware of the antiquities that the art department put in the gallery.^[8]