The Metropolitan Museum of Art Egyptian Collection is one of the most renowned and beloved collections in the world. Located in New York City, the museum houses an impressive collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts, spanning from prehistory to the Roman period. From stunning wall reliefs and statues to intricate jewelry and funerary objects, the collection is an invaluable resource for learning about the culture and history of Egypt.
Overview
The Metropolitan Museum of Art Egyptian collection comprises more than 26,000 objects, with the majority of them dating from the Old Kingdom (ca. 2686–2181 BCE) to the Roman period (ca. 30 BCE–395 CE). The collection is divided into several categories, such as:
- Sculpture and Reliefs
- Furniture and Wooden Objects
- Jewelry and Personal Ornaments
- Textiles and Clothing
- Funerary Objects
- Architectural Elements
- Ceramics and Glass
- Metalwork
- Coinage and Other Objects
The collection also includes several hundred examples of papyrus, as well as papyri, ostraca, and books of the dead. The museum also holds a vast array of photographs, drawings, and other documents relating to Egyptology.
Notable Pieces
The collection features many remarkable artifacts, such as the “Seated Scribe”, a painted limestone sculpture from the Old Kingdom. The “Senwosret III” head is one of the finest examples of Middle Kingdom sculpture. The “Chephren Pyramidion”, a fragment of a pyramidion, or top piece of a pyramid, is the oldest example of a complete pyramidion in existence.
The collection also includes a stunning selection of jewelry and funerary objects, such as the “Pectoral of Senwosret II”, a gold necklace featuring the name of the pharaoh. The “Canopic Jar of Psamtik I” is an alabaster jar containing the internal organs of the deceased. The “Tutankhamun Coffin” is a spectacular example of funerary art from the New Kingdom.
History of the Collection
The Metropolitan Museum of Art has been collecting Egyptian artifacts since its founding in 1870. Over the years, the museum has acquired many important pieces, including the “Senwosret III” head, which was acquired in 1903. In the early 20th century, the museum began to actively acquire ancient Egyptian artifacts, often through excavations and fieldwork in Egypt. In 1914, the museum established the Department of Egyptian Art.
Recent Acquisitions
In recent years, the Metropolitan Museum of Art has continued to acquire important pieces for its Egyptian collection. In 2015, the museum acquired the “Statue of Amenemhat”, a finely carved limestone sculpture from the Middle Kingdom. In 2016, the museum acquired the “Head of a King”, a fragment of a statue from the New Kingdom. In 2017, the museum acquired the “Statue of Nebamun”, a painted limestone statue from the New Kingdom.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art Egyptian collection is an invaluable resource for students and scholars of Egyptology. The museum’s website provides detailed information about the collection, including photographs and descriptions of many of the artifacts. The museum also offers educational programs and tours of the collection.