The largest collection of Tutankhamun’s treasures to travel outside of Egypt has arrived in London.
Featuring 150 original objects from his tomb, this truly spectacular exhibition, ‘Tutankhamun: Treasures of the Golden Pharaoh,’ is Londoners’ last chance to see these treasures outside of Cairo, Egypt. General release tickets are on sale now, and you can find them here.
Currently on show within the Saatchi Gallery, the exhibits include a gilded wooden bed, a gilded wooden shrine, a gold inlaid coffinette, as well as 60 items that have left Egypt for the first and final time.
King Tut only became famous 3,000 years after his death, when his tomb was discovered by British archaeologist Howard Carter and financier Lord Carnarvon in 1922. This sparked a global fascination with the Egyptian king, which then sparked a wave of Egyptomania. This lead to art and architecture in the 20s being heavily influenced by ancient Egyptian motifs. In fact, the Tut-obsession was even present in music and advertising during this era and beyond!
The golden treasures first went on display in the UK at the British Museum in 1972, and millions of people queued for hours to catch a glimpse. (To put this into perspective: this exhibition featured less than 55 items from Tutankhamun’s tomb.) It’s toured since then – the Paris stop recently become the most-visited attraction in French history – but this is the very last time before the artefacts are permanently installed within the Egyptian Grand Museum in Cairo.
Unlike past tours, ‘Tutankhamun: Treasures of the Golden Pharaoh’ focuses on interpreting the significance and meaning of the king’s burial items.
Philippa Adams, Director of the Saatchi Gallery says: “The discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb is a timeless story known throughout the world, and this exhibition will present these important historical artefacts in a highly innovative way through immersive displays. We are thrilled and honoured to be hosting this culturally significant exhibition.”
Excitingly, the Saatchi Gallery are also hosting a brilliant series of Lates, taking place on the penultimate day of each month. There’ll be drinks and music – not to mention the exclusive opportunity to explore Tutankhamun’s treasures after dark.
‘Tutankhamun: Treasures of the Golden Pharaoh’ will be at the Saatchi Gallery until May 3, 2020. Tickets are on sale now – for more information, head to the exhibition website.