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Apr. 29th, 2007 08:15 pmYesterday we went to the NC Museum of Art to see the special Egypt exhibit. Apparently they got several pieces from the British Museum on loan to show. Once upon a time, I was on an Egyptian kick, and did everything from try to learn how to use hieroglyphics to dressing as an Egyptian goddess for Halloween. I guess I'm no longer as into it as I used to be, but I still enjoy it when it presents itself, such as yesterday. I have to say, I'm glad we got the chance to go.
I found it interesting that the things that really impressed me weren't the huge statues of pharohs and the like (although the huge-ass stone lion that greeted us at the entrance was pretty cool); it was the little things--the stela of a family with gouges into it where somebody with a grudge scratched out their faces, the practice tablet with a drawing done by a professional and crudely drawn arms done by students next to it, the little statuette of a monkey stealing a horse that was obviously done as a joke. I think it's because it's those little things that make you realize that these were real people that actually existed, instead of some ethereal non-civilization made up of grand statues.
What *really* made the trip for me, though, was getting to see in person several artifacts that I've only ever seen in pictures, like a glass carving of a tilapia used for pouring perfume. In particular, there was a girdle of amulets (including fish, cowrie shells, and a central amulet of Heh (goddess of bemusement, apparently)) in one of my books that I always thought was gorgeous. I actually think it's one of my favorite artifacts. And I got to see it in person yesterday. ^_^ It really is very beautiful, but I found it interesting that it looks like the central amulet's gotten a little bent since the picture I have was taken. Methinks somebody broke it in the several years since then. ;_;
I found it interesting that the things that really impressed me weren't the huge statues of pharohs and the like (although the huge-ass stone lion that greeted us at the entrance was pretty cool); it was the little things--the stela of a family with gouges into it where somebody with a grudge scratched out their faces, the practice tablet with a drawing done by a professional and crudely drawn arms done by students next to it, the little statuette of a monkey stealing a horse that was obviously done as a joke. I think it's because it's those little things that make you realize that these were real people that actually existed, instead of some ethereal non-civilization made up of grand statues.
What *really* made the trip for me, though, was getting to see in person several artifacts that I've only ever seen in pictures, like a glass carving of a tilapia used for pouring perfume. In particular, there was a girdle of amulets (including fish, cowrie shells, and a central amulet of Heh (goddess of bemusement, apparently)) in one of my books that I always thought was gorgeous. I actually think it's one of my favorite artifacts. And I got to see it in person yesterday. ^_^ It really is very beautiful, but I found it interesting that it looks like the central amulet's gotten a little bent since the picture I have was taken. Methinks somebody broke it in the several years since then. ;_;