Ancient Egyptian jewellery enchants visitors to NGV exhibition Pharaoh

Monumental sculptures, obelisks and tombs are hard to miss in the blockbuster NGV exhibition – but much smaller treasures has been favoured by visitors. WATCH THE VIDEO

The power and presence of monumental sculptures, obelisks, temple statuary and ancient Egyptian art was always going to make Pharaoh a destination, landmark exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria.

But the 180 priceless pieces of ancient jewellery – from amethyst necklaces, collars, girdles found in funerary tombs and rings made of delicate gold, each highlighting the exquisite craftsmanship, some more than 4000 years ago – has been a surprise must-see attraction of the NGV Melbourne Winter Masterpieces exhibition Pharaoh, now in its final days.

Especially commissioned from the British Museum by the NGV, and never before toured as a collective, some of the finest examples of ancient Egyptian jewellery has become a main attraction, with each piece telling a fascinating story.

Maxi Sam-Morris wears ancient Egyptian-inspired jewellery inside the Pharaoh exhibition from Melbourne label Cleopatra’s Bling, on sale at the NGV gift shop. Picture: Mark Stewart

NGV senior curator of international decorative arts and antiquities, Amanda Dunsmore, who specialises in Egyptology, says the symbolic power of these magical charms were designed to invoke the power of the gods and show the timelessness of the work and mysteries of ancient Egypt.

It is this timelessness that has visitors in awe, showcasing how ancient Egyptian jewellery has, and continues to, inspire modern trends.

British Museum curator Dr Marie Vandenbeusch said her team developed the jewellery section of Pharaoh “in collaboration with the NGV, for the NGV”.

Plaque of Amenemhat IV, a gold piece dating back to about 1808-1799 BC. Picture: The Trustees of the British Museum

Ornament of a winged scarab holding a sun-disc. (about 880-1874 BC). Picture: The Trustees of the British Museum

Gold finger ring on show at NGV exhibition Pharaoh. Picture: The Trustees of the British Museum

Bull’s head ornament made of gold and lapis lazuli. Picture: The Trustees of the British Museum

“They were quite keen to have something unique,” Dr Vandenbeusch said.

“There are very few pieces of jewellery on display (at the British Museum).”

She identified a bull’s head ornament that was made of gold and lapis lazuli – a deep-blue stone mined in Afghanistan – and excavated south of Cairo as a standout piece.

Pharaoh closes on Sunday October 6, with special extended hours just announced from 9am to 10pm that day to cater to popular demand.

ngv.vic.gov.au/exhibition/pharaoh

Originally published as Ancient Egyptian jewellery enchants visitors to NGV exhibition Pharaoh