Nubia: Jewels of Ancient Sudan from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston at the Getty Villa

 

Necklace with Ram’s-Head Pendants, Nubian, Reign of Amanitaraqide, AD 40–50
Gold
3.7 × 1 cm (1 7/16 × 3/8 in.)
Harvard University-Boston Museum of Fine Arts Expedition
Photograph © Museum of Fine Arts, Boston VEX.2022.1.138

 
 

Nubia: Jewels of Ancient Sudan
from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

October 12, 2022 — April 3, 2023

 

For nearly 3,000 years a series of kingdoms flourished in ancient Nubia (present-day southern Egypt and northern Sudan). The region was rich in sought-after resources such as gold and ivory and its trade networks reached Egypt, Greece, Rome, and central Africa. This exhibition presents highlights from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston's extensive collection of Nubian objects, and features superbly crafted jewelry, metalwork, and sculpture exhibiting the wealth and splendor of Nubian society.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Exhibition Preview

 

Belt, Nubian, 1700–1550 BC
Faience and glazed quartz
74 cm (29 1/8 in.)
Harvard University-Boston Museum of Fine Arts Expedition
Photograph © Museum of Fine Arts, Boston VEX.2022.1.38 (20.1729)

Amulet of a Vulture, Nubian, Reign of Atlanersa, 653–643 BC
Gold
1 cm (3/8 in.)
Harvard University-Boston Museum of Fine Arts Expedition
Photograph © Museum of Fine Arts, Boston VEX.2022.1.9 (20.255)

Cylindrical Cases, Nubian, Reign of Aspelta, 593–568 BC Gold
11.3 × 3.1 cm (4 7/16 × 1 1/4 in.)
Harvard University-Boston Museum of Fine Arts Expedition
Photograph © Museum of Fine Arts, Boston VEX.2022.1.54 (21.339a-b)

Ram's-Head Earring, Nubian, 550–500 BC
Gold
3 × 1.6 cm (1 3/16 × 5/8 in.)
Harvard University-Boston Museum of Fine Arts Expedition
Photograph © Museum of Fine Arts, Boston VEX 2022.1.71

Bracelet with Hathor, Nubian, 250–100 BC
Gold with enamel
1.8 × 5.7 × 5.1 cm (11/16 × 2 1/4 × 2 in.)
Harvard University-Boston Museum of Fine Arts Expedition
Photograph © Museum of Fine Arts, Boston VEX.2022.1.28 (20.333)

Pectoral with Isis, Nubian, Reign of Amaninatakelebte, 538–519 BC
Gold
6.9 × 17 cm (2 11/16 × 6 11/16 in.)
Harvard University-Boston Museum of Fine Arts Expedition
Photograph © Museum of Fine Arts, Boston VEX.2022.1.12 (20.276)

Amulet of Mut, Nubian, Reign of Piankhy, 743– 712 BC
Silver
10.3 × 2.3 × 2 cm (4 1/16 × 7/8 × 13/16 in.)
Harvard University-Boston Museum of Fine Arts Expedition
Photograph © Museum of Fine Arts, Boston VEX.2022.1.51 (21.322)

Inscribed Scarab Beetle, Nubian, Reign of Aspelta, 593–568 BC
Jasper
10.9 × 7 cm (4 5/16 × 2 3/4 in.)
Harvard University-Boston Museum of Fine Arts Expedition
Photograph © Museum of Fine Arts, Boston VEW.2022.1.34 (20.643)

Earring with Double Hathor Heads, Nubian, 90 BC–50 AD Gold with enamel
5.8 cm (2 5/16 in.)
Harvard University-Boston Museum of Fine Arts Expedition
Photograph © Museum of Fine Arts, Boston VEX.2022.1.74

Pendant with a Head of Hathor, Nubian, Reign of Piankhy, 743–712 BC
Gold and rock crystal
5.3 × 3.3 cm (2 1/16 × 1 5/16 in.)
Harvard University-Boston Museum of Fine Arts Expedition
Photograph © Museum of Fine Arts, Boston VEX.2022.1.50 (21.321)

Collar with Solar Imagery, Nubian, Reign of Shebitka, 712–698 BC
Electrum
17 cm (6 11/16 in.)
Harvard University-Boston Museum of Fine Arts Expedition
Photograph © Museum of Fine Arts, Boston VEX.2022.1.47 (21.307)

Pendant with a Ram-Headed Sphinx on a Column, Nubian, Reign of Piankhy, 743–712 BC
Gilded silver, lapis lazuli, and glass
10.3 × 3 cm (4 1/16 × 1 3/16 in.)
Harvard University-Boston Museum of Fine Arts Expedition
Photograph © Museum of Fine Arts, Boston VEX.2022.1.133

Necklace with Ram’s-Head Pendants, Nubian, Reign of Amanitaraqide, AD 40–50
Gold
3.7 × 1 cm (1 7/16 × 3/8 in.)
Harvard University-Boston Museum of Fine Arts Expedition
Photograph © Museum of Fine Arts, Boston VEX.2022.1.138

Statue of King Senkamanisken, Nubian, Reign of Senkamanisken, 643–623 BC Granite gneiss
147.8 × 50.1 cm, 272 kg (58 3/16 × 19 3/4 in., 599.6512 lb.)
Harvard University-Boston Museum of Fine Arts Expedition
Photograph © Museum of Fine Arts, Boston VEX 2022.1.88

Pectoral with a Winged Lion-Headed Goddess, Nubian, Reign of Piankhy, 743–712 BC
Faience
6.2 × 8.5 cm (2 7/16 × 3 3/8 in.)
Harvard University-Boston Museum of Fine Arts Expedition
Photograph © Museum of Fine Arts, Boston 2022.1.108

Pectoral with Pataikos, Nubian, Reign of Piankhy, 743–712 BC
Faience
7.1 × 3.8 cm (2 13/16 × 1 1/2 in.)
Harvard University-Boston Museum of Fine Arts Expedition
Photograph © Museum of Fine Arts, Boston VEX.2022.1.120

Bracelets, Nubian, 90 BC–50 AD
Gold and cornelian
1.2 × 14.4 cm (1/2 × 5 11/16 in.)
Harvard University-Boston Museum of Fine Arts Expedition
Photograph © Museum of Fine Arts, Boston VEX.2022.1.86

Necklace with Ram’s-Head Pendants, Nubian, AD 270 B.–320 AD
Gold and cornelian 15 cm (5 7/8 in.)
Harvard University-Boston Museum of Fine Arts Expedition
Photograph © Museum of Fine Arts, Boston VEX.2022.1.90

Necklace with Human and Ram’s-Head Pendants, Nubian, 270–50 BC
Gold and cornelian
2.4 × 38 cm (15/16 × 14 15/16 in.)
Harvard University-Boston Museum of Fine Arts Expedition
Photograph © Museum of Fine Arts, Boston VEX 2022.1.81

Ear Stud with Kneeling Goddess, Nubian, 30– 170 AD
Gold with enamel
4.1 cm (1 5/8 in.)
Harvard University-Boston Museum of Fine Arts Expedition
Photograph © Museum of Fine Arts, Boston VEX.2022.1.92

Ear Stud with Hathor, Nubian, Reign of Aryesbokhe, 215–225 AD
Gold with enamel
3.8 cm (1 1/2 in.)
Harvard University-Boston Museum of Fine Arts Expedition
Photograph © Museum of Fine Arts, Boston VEX.2022.1.94

Ring in the Form of a Rearing Cobra, Nubian, 100–320 AD Silver
3.3 × 1.9 cm (1 5/16 × 3/4 in.)
Harvard University-Boston Museum of Fine Arts Expedition
Photograph © Museum of Fine Arts, Boston VEX.2022.1.96

Earring with a Head of Hathor, Nubian, 90 BC– 50 AD Gold with enamel
5.8 cm (2 5/16 in.)
Harvard University-Boston Museum of Fine Arts Expedition
Photograph © Museum of Fine Arts, Boston VEX.2022.1.75

Ear Stud, Nubian, 100–320 AD
Gold with enamel
3.3 cm (1 5/16 in.)
Harvard University-Boston Museum of Fine Arts Expedition
Photograph © Museum of Fine Arts, Boston VEX.2022.1.102

 
News 11, Exhibitions 2Editorial TeamArt of the Ancestors, Steven G. Alpert, Asian Art, Island Southeast Asian Art, Oceanic Art, Asiatica, Ethnographica, Ethnographic Art, Art Collection, Fine Art, Primitive Art, Indonesian Art, Tribal Art, Eyes of the Ancestors, Dr. Reimar Schefold