NOTE: This exhibition includes all items listed, though they may be in different areas of the gallery and out of numerical order.

MAIN ENTRANCE

42. Selket. Goddess associated with magic and escorted by scorpions (whose emblem crowns her), the sideways turn of her head defying the fundamental tradition of frontality in ancient Egyptian art.

1. Queen Ankhnesmerire and Pepi II. An Old Kingdom sculpture (c. 2188 B.C.) of the 6th Dynasty child pharaoh who ruled for 94 years.

2-3. Shield of Narmer Ceremonial Palette. Commemorating the unification of Predynastic Upper and Lower Egypt by the first pharaoh (c. 3100 B.C.), used for grinding cosmetics.

4. Triad of Mycerinus. The 4th Dynasty Pharaoh Mycerinus (c. 2532 B.C.) represented as a divine trinity with the goddess Hathor and a regional deity.

5. Limestone Relief of Horus. Characterizing the archaic, formal style of Old Kingdom art, the principal divinity, represented as a falcon and personified as the pharaoh.

6. Alabaster Slave. An exquisite example of the trend towards naturalistic expression in portraiture that was to characterize New Kingdom art.

7. Bronze Hand Mirror. A graceful 19th Dynasty bronze casting from the reign of Seti I, father of Ramesses the Great, around 1300 B.C.

8. Monkey Kohl Pot. Used as a container for kohl, a black cosmetic eye shadow originally worn to diminish the glare of the harsh desert sun.

9. Golden Cosmetic Spoon. Fashioned in the graceful form of a bathing maiden, a classic motif for 18th Dynasty ointment containers.

10-13. Canopic Urns. Funerary jars for internal organs (named for the town of Canopus), ceremonially included as miniatures after the 21st Dynasty.

14. Winged Isis. The most revered of ancient Egyptian goddesses, the legendary mother of Horus and both wife and twin sister of the god Osiris.

15. Thutmose III. Egypt’s mightiest pharaoh, portrayed in this New Kingdom masterpiece.

16-17. Lady Depet and Imenmes. An 18th Dynasty noble-woman and her husband, sculptured by the same craftsmen who decorated the pharaoh’s tombs.

18. Relief of a Noble Couple at a Banquet. From the Theban studio of the royal sculptor Djhutmose during the reign of Amenhotep IV (c. 1353 B.C.).

19. Statue of Amenhotep IV. The heretic pharaoh, founder of the first monotheistic religious cult and father of Tutankhamun, depicted as a youth making an offering.

20. Statuette of Akhenaton. A radical visionary, Amenhotep IV changed his name to Akhenaton, portrayed with exaggerated, stylized features.

21. Nefertiti. Akhenaten’s great royal wife. Found in the workshop of the sculptor Djhutmose, used as an instructional model (hence it’s missing eye).

22. Papyrus Vignette of Akhenaton, Nefertiti, and Meritaton. Akhenaton and his royal family, making offerings to the heretical sun-god Aton.

23. Face of Akhenaton. Following the deaths of Akhenaton and Nefertiti, their heretical capital of el-Amarna was abandoned and their names and faces were stricken from their monuments.

TUTANKHAMUN: “Wonderful Things” from the Pharaoh’s Tomb

January 21 - May 6, 2018Exhibition Guide

The Pharaoh’s Curse. Undisturbed for over 3,000 years, when the silence of Tutankhamun’s tomb was broken by British archaeologist Howard Carter and his wealthy patron Lord Carnarvon, the public became enthralled overnight. Carnarvon’s sudden death following the discovery instantly gave rise to rumors of a curse. Before the excavation was completed, Carter’s chief assistant died. Ignominiously locked out of the tomb by the Egyptian government for a time, Carter spent his embittered final days in England in lonely obscurity while the long forgotten name of Tutankhamun found new life as the most celebrated of Egypt’s ancient god-kings.

Tutankhamun’s Treasures. The following reproductions of the dazzling artifacts from Tutankhamun’s tomb evoke the splendor of ancient Egypt and the intimate daily life of a young pharaoh. The 9-year-old Tutankhamun ascended the throne in 1333 B.C. and reigned until his death 9 years later. Shortly after his burial in 1323 B.C. graverobbers attempted to plunder the lavish treasures, but the tomb was quickly resealed for over 3,000 years until its historic discovery in 1922. When Howard Carter cleared the entryway and first shined his light inside the dark tomb, the anxious Lord Carnarvon asked if he could see anything. “Yes,” the archaeologist is said to have replied. “Wonderful things.”

24-25. The Guardian Statues. Guarding Tutankhamun’s Burial Chamber, this life-size pair of gilded wooden statues represented his ka, or soul.

26. The Anubis Shrine. Majestic guardian of the royal necropolis, Anubis (known as “He who belongs to the mummy wrappings”) presided over the rites of mummification.

27. Ankh Candle Holder. Unusual bronze torch holder in the form of an ankh (hieroglyphic symbol for life) fashioned with humanlike arms.

28. Head of the Divine Cow. The goddess Hathor, manifested in the form of the divine cow, with origins in an ancient agrarian culture.

29-33. Golden Shrine and Tutelary Goddesses. A spectacular, gilded Canopic shrine containing the pharaoh’s embalmed viscera, guarded by the 4 tutelary goddesses: Isis, Nephthys, Neith and Selket.

34. Golden Panel of Isis and Nephthys. Isis and Nephthys, sisters of Osiris, standing on hieroglyphic symbols for incorruptible gold and inscribed “Never shalt thou decay.”

35-41. Gilt Miniature Sarcophagus and Guardians. A guarded sepulcher depicting the conception of a pharaoh’s tomb as a machine, a functional instrument of magic to ensure eternal life after death.

43. Netjerankh. A mysterious minor deity in serpent form associated with the pharaoh’s nightly journey through the subterranean Netherworld.

44. Ushabti Figure. A mummiform figurine, commonly buried in tombs to serve as substitutes for the deceased in the next world.

45. Osiris Ushabti. As the legendary first mummy, Osiris, god of the afterlife, was associated with resurrection.

46. Golden Flabellum. Originally mounted on a long staff and fitted with ostrich plumes, carried by the exalted vizier Ay (who succeeded Tutankhamun), fanbearer on the pharaoh’s right.

47. Golden Funerary Mask of Tutankhamun. A radiant portrait of the young pharaoh in a mask of solid gold, found resting over the head and shoulders of Tutankhamun’s linen-wrapped mummy.

48. Ceremonial Flabellum. A stately fan, decorated with the pharaoh’s twin cartouches bearing both the prenomen (throne name) Nebkheprure and the nomen (birth name) Tutankhamun.

49. The Golden Falcon. Image of the divine royal falcon, associating Tutankhamun with the sun god. With his accession the old polytheistic religious cult abandoned by his father was restored. Nebkheprure, Pharaoh of Upper and Lower Egypt, spent his life making images of the gods, who now give him incense, libations, and offerings every day.

50. Ebony Stool. An imitation of a folding camp stool with a stretched leopard skin seat, presented to the pharaoh as a tribute from Nubia.

51. Golden Bed. The pharaoh’s spectacular personal bed, showing signs of wear resulting from use.

52. Ivory Headrest. An amulet associated with resurrection, designed to support the pharaoh’s head between the east and west horizons (symbolized by lions) in the status of the sun.

53. Dress Mannequin. Lifelike effigy with a painted linen undergarment, used for laying out the pharaoh’s robes, necklaces and earrings.

54. Ankh Mirror Case. Amulet in the form of the sandal-shaped hieroglyphic symbol for life, which was also the symbol for mirror.

55. Painted Linen Chest. Among the greatest artistic treasures of the tomb, symbolically depicting the pharaoh in his chariot vanquishing African and Asian adversaries.

56. Lotus Lamp. Oil burning triple lamp, carved in the form of a lotus from a single piece of alabaster.

57. Alabaster Perfume Vessel. Elaborate urn representing a wish for the pharaoh’s long life and reign imparted through its fragrant contents.

58-62. Ebony Game Box and Casting Sticks. The pharaoh’s board game of senet, one of the traditional pastimes in the afterlife.

63. Magic Chalice. Enchanting alabaster oil lamp concealing a painted scene of the great royal wife Ankhesenamun and the pharaoh visibly only when lit.

64. Court Sandals. Made of wood with ornate marquetry veneer, the soles are decorated with the traditional images of captive African and Asian enemies, symbolically trampled with the pharaoh’s every step.

65. Royal Broad Collar and Earrings. A splendid reconstruction of an openwork necklace of faience beads and scarabs in classic Amarna style.

66-67. Golden Dagger and Sheath. Recalling its primitive origins, solid gold dagger decorated with a rope pattern symbolically binding the simple blade to the ornate hilt.

68. Scarab Bracelet. One of the pharaoh’s personal ornaments, fastened by sophisticated interlocking hinges with gold pins.

69. Necklace with Falcon Pendant. Representing a consolidation of the 2 regional sun gods Horus and Re, traditionally associated with the pharaoh.

70. Winged Scarab Pectoral. Celebrating the merging of such diverse conceptions of the sun god as a falcon and a beetle.

71. Prenomen Pectoral with Lunar Scarab. A cryptographic allusion to the pharaoh’s prenomen substituting a lunar emblem for the solar disc.

72. Necklace with Winged Scarab Pendant. Depicting the diving solar scarab rising from a swamp represented by lotus and poppies.

73. Pectoral with Scarab and Boat. A gold pendant, symbolizing the resurrection of a god.

74. Winged Uraeus Amulet. Depicting the sacred cobra, ancient protector of the pharaohs.

75. Necklace with Udjat Eye Pendant. Sacred emblem of the solar divinity, believed to have the power of resurrecting the dead.

76. Prenomen Pectoral with Solar Scarab. The pharaoh’s throne name celebrated in hieroglyphic form, a symbol of the sun’s daily rebirth.

77-79. Funerary Necklace and Earrings. Commissioned by the 26th Dynasty pharaoh Nekhau as funerary jewelry for a noble subject.

80. Mummybead Collar. Over 33 centuries old, an 18th Dynasty funerary necklace made of faience, a fired paste of ground quartz.

81-83. Funerary Collar and Earrings. A 26th Dynasty necklace of faience beads and gold cowrie shells, c. 600 B.C.

84. Cartouche Box. In the form of the pharaoh’s royal cartouche, a coffer for sacred coronation regalia.

85. Alabaster Flask. One of 80 stone vessels in the tomb, distinguished by its utter simplicity.

86. Alabaster Wedding Chest. Engraved with the cartouches of both the pharaoh and the great royal wife Ankhesenamun, and containing 2 balls of hair signifying the royal marriage contract.

87. Little Golden Shrine. Decorated with a series of panels portraying the royal couple in domestic scenes, a wedding gift from the young queen.

88. Papyrus Vignette of Tutankhamun and Ankhesenamun. Portrayed early in their reign, the young pharaoh and his wife strolling together in an arbor of floral columns.

89. Golden Ankh. A gilded wooden hieroglyphic symbol for life, held in the pharaoh’s hand as part of his ceremonial regalia.

90-91. Golden Throne and Ceremonial Footrest. The pharaoh’s marvelous coronation throne bearing his name in its earlier, heretical Tutankhaton form and portraying an intimate domestic scene of the young royal couple.

92. Royal Scepter. Part of the pharaoh’s awesome ceremonial regalia, a precious insignia of his supreme authority, used for consecrating offerings.

93-94. The Crook and Flail. Sacred emblems of the god Osiris, symbolizing the divinity of the pharaohs, a crucial part of their ceremonial regalia.

97. Ebony Child’s Chair. Inlaid with ivory, a typical piece of 18th Dynasty furniture, made for Tut as a child.

98. Royal Sailing Vessel. A wooden model of the majestic craft that carried the pharaoh up and down the Nile.

99. Royal Barge. A likeness of a ceremonial barge towed in royal processions.

100. Pommel Statuette of Tutankhamun. A puppet ruler from boyhood, developing a will of his own may have cost him his life.

101. Statute of Tutankhamun with a Harpoon. An allegorical representation of the valiant young pharaoh vanquishing evil in the form of an invisible swamp demon.

102. Golden State Chariot. Among the most splendid and sophisticated examples of an ancient vehicle, the pharaoh’s lavish ceremonial chariot for state parades and royal processions.

103. Golden Perfume Flask. In the form of a double cartouche depicting Tutankhamun’s progression from royal prince to immortal pharaoh.

104. Scarab Amulet. Sacred symbol of Khepri, god of the rising sun, associated with resurrection.

105. Lion Unguent Jar. Suggesting the age old association of royalty with lions, its long desiccated contents once a luxurious, aromatic balm.

106. Golden Leopard Head. Ritual vestments included a sacred leopard skin mantle decorated with this ornamental head.

107. The God Ptah. The patron deity of Memphis, among the oldest of Egyptians divinities, who conjured the universe and the gods into being.

108. Tutankhamun on a Funerary Bed. Unique funerary gift of a finely carved ushabti with an inscribed dedication from Maya, overseer of the royal necropolis.

109. Lion Funerary Bedhead. From the first of 3 golden ritual couches, employed as a funerary bier during the pharaoh’s 70 day process of mummification following his unexpected death in 1323 B.C.

110. Ritual Couch. The divine cow in the form of the celestial canopy, with the sacred function of a solar barque for bearing the pharaoh to the heavens.

111. Sacred Udjat Amulet. The eye of Horus, a potent charm for warding off illness, possessing the power to awaken the dead.

112. Menkheret Carrying Tutankhamun. A tender depiction of the newborn divinity in his mummy shroud as he embarks, with the assistance of the gods, upon his journey beyond death.

113. Statue of Tutankhamun on a Leopard. A mysterious image of the pharaoh representing his passage through the dark netherworld.

114. Golden Mummiform Coffin. The dazzling lid of a traditional Pharaonic mummiform coffin, decorated in the classic Osirine style of the Late New Kingdom.

115-116. Royal Mummy of Pharaoh Tutankhamun and Golden Lion Bier. The 18-year-old pharaoh’s pitiful remains wrapped in linen bandages enfolding over 150 jewels and amulets and blackened by excessive application of the resins intended to preserve it. Its re-examination in 1968 revealed possible evidence of a fatal blow to the skull.

117. Canopic Stopper. A portrait of the young pharaoh, 1 of 4 compartment stoppers from an alabaster Canopic chest in which his mummified viscera were stored.

118-121. Canopic Caskets. Housed in the alabaster Canopic chest, containing the embalmed liver, lungs, stomach, and intestines of Tutankhamun.

122. Amarna Princess. A charming portrait of a young princess, discovered in the abandoned ruins of el-Amarna, representing Ankhesenamun or one of her 5 sisters.

123. Bes Unguent Vessel. Fashioned of alabaster in the form of the protective and lusty household deity Bes, a dwarf god, inscribed with cartouches of the royal couple.

124. Alabaster Ibex Vase. A graceful alabaster vessel inscribed with the pharaoh’s cartouches, reflecting the innocent tastes of an adolescent with a typical fondness for hunting game.

125. Wishing Cup. An alabaster chalice bearing the royal cartouche with an engraved blessing: May your spirit live and may you spend millions of year, you who cherish Thebes, sitting with your face to the north wind, your eyes gazing upon joy.

126. Bust of Tutankhamun on a Lotus. A touching likeness of the young pharaoh, representing him as the solar deity emerging from the primordial lotus at the moment of creation and symbolizing his divine rebirth every day with the rising sun.

Copyright 1997 by Alberto Acosta

Exhibition sponsored by