The North Carolina Museum of Art and the British Museum have teamed up to present seldom seen artifacts from one of history's most mysterious civilizations.
Next to the Cairo Museum, the British Museum houses the world's second largest collection of Egyptian artifacts. Currently 85 pieces, many of them rarely shown in public, are winning rave reviews from the Piedmont of North Carolina through the North Carolina Museum of Art's exhibition: "Temples and Tombs: Treasures of Egyptian Art from the British Museum”.
Four distinct themes are covered and against cobalt blue walls objects of sculpture, papyri, jewelry and funerary items make a striking contrast. At the entrance lies a 6,000-pound garnet colored granite lion. Being a guardian is nothing new for this giant kitty. During the New Kingdom it was part of a pair, which was set at the Temple at Soleb in Nubia for Amenhotep III.
In ancient Egypt, the King or Pharaoh was central to both secular and religious life. At the latter, a Pharaoh served as the intermediately between the human world and the celestial one. So in every temple – even the most basic had at least four gods or goddesses. The diety was honored and each had a small statue represented within the structure. Keeping the immortals happy was a number one priority and is represented in the King and the Temple section.
Passing into the area of Objects from the Lives of Artists and Nobles you can see how everyday life was lead. If one did not want to spend their days toiling under a hot Egyptian sun as a common laborer finding other work was essential. One such job was as a scribe
An exhibit shows how a writer of hieroglyphics went about learning the craft and some of the actual materials used – from scribal palettes to twigs and reeds for making a mark.
Loving adornment and fragrance the theme features statues and paintings portraying styles throughout the centuries. Some like the blue, gold and white glass perfume bottle of a boltifish seem contemporary instead of thousands of years old.
Moving into the Statues of Egyptians form Temples and Tombs section non-royal although wealthy habits from 2600 – 100 BC are visited. Once in a tomb state ka, the spirit of the deceased was most active. Ka would reside in the mummy and statues were viewed as a substitute for the body.
Here the changes, which were occurring along the Nile, are also highlighted. Following Alexander the Greek’s conquest of Egypt – more Hellenic influence can be seen – particularly with the statue Sematawy Holding a Naos. Blank almond eyes are transported to rounder and deep-set orbs.
Finally the Tomb, Death and the Afterlife illustrate the checklist required for a peaceful journey to the afterlife. Coffin, funerary papyri, furniture, jewelry, food and drink were essentials. So was a shabti. A shabti was usually inscribed with spell, which asked it to do the work of the dead.
The exhibit lasts until July 8, 2007 prior to moving on to Albuquerque and Fresno. Throughout the exhibition months the museum is offering partnering events. A film series lead by Egyptologist Dr. Caroline M. Rocheleau pokes fun at the inaccuracies of several Hollywood blockbusters. Children will enjoy Style on the Nile and Tombs to Go where they can learn about the clothing of the ancients and how to build a miniature tomb respectively.
Raleigh is a must stop for all Egyptologists - young and old!
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For more information while traveling in Raleigh see: www.visitraleigh.com
Looking for more to do in the Tar Heel State?
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