Caption: This sandstone sculpture of Pharaoh Mentuhotep II will be one of the exhibits on display in Leeds City Museum (if used mandatory image credit 'Sandstone head of Pharaoh Mentuhotep II, 2055 - 2004 BC © The Trustees of the British Museum')
The wonders of ancient Egypt will be coming to Leeds in the new year as a major national exhibition goes on display at Leeds City Museum.
The exhibition entitled ‘Pharaoh: King of Egypt’ featuring over 130 objects will be on show from Saturday 11 February to Sunday 17 June 2012 at the museum off Millennium Square with admission being free.
A major touring exhibition from the British Museum, the display has been developed in partnership with Leeds City Museum and the Great North Museum.
The display will explore the lives of the Pharaohs and their role as head of state, chief priest and commander of the army. Themes to be examined include the realities of ruling a complex society and dealing with issues such as international diplomacy, tomb-robbing, civil war and foreigners on the throne.
These stories will be told using objects and artefacts spanning over 3,000 years of history including stunning palace decorations, sculpture, jewellery and papyri.
The exhibition will be free to enter and will feature audio-visual displays, interactives and family trails. It will also be the first major special exhibition of its type to be on display in the museum’s central Leeds Arena.
The exhibition will also complement the famous ‘Leeds Mummy’ Nesyamun, who is on permanent display in the ‘Ancient Worlds’ section of the museum.
Leeds City Council executive member for leisure Councillor Adam Ogilvie said:
“We are really excited to announce this major national exhibition will be coming to Leeds City Museum early in the new year. Ancient Egypt and the mystique of the Pharaohs has a special fascination all of its own and we are confident people of all ages will take the chance to come and see these amazing objects on display for free in Leeds.”
Director of the British Museum Neil MacGregor said:
“This exhibition is a fantastic example of collaboration between the British Museum and its partners across the UK. The British Museum is committed to lending its collection widely across the UK allowing objects to be seen by as many people as possible.”
Further details of the exhibition including some of the standout objects will be announced early in January. For the latest information visit www.leeds.gov.uk/kingofegypt
To find out more about Leeds City Museum, visit the website
Notes to Editors:
• Pharaoh: King of Egypt is supported through the generosity of the Dorset Foundation.
• The tour is organised through the British Museum’s Partnership UK scheme. Partnership UK is the strategic framework for the British Museum’s programme of engagement with audiences throughout the country.
• The British Museum recently worked with Leeds Museums at Lotherton Hall with the exhibition ‘Warriors of the Plains’ in summer 2011.
• As well as Leeds City Museum, the exhibition is also visiting: Great North Museum: Hancock, Dorset County Museum, Dorchester; Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery; Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Glasgow; Bristol Museum and Art Gallery.
• The Department of Ancient Egypt and Sudan at the British Museum houses the largest collection of Egyptian objects outside Egypt, which illustrate every aspect of the cultures of the Nile Valley, from the Neolithic period (about 10,000 BC) until the twelfth century AD.
For further information on the British Museum please contact:
Esme Wilson - ewilson@britishmuseum.org or call 020 7323 8394.
ENDS
For media enquiries please contact:
Roger Boyde, Senior communications officer,
Leeds City Council, Tel 0113 247 5472
Email: roger.boyde@leeds.gov.uk
