Body Parts: Ancient Egyptian Fragments and Amulets

November 19, 2009–October 2, 2011
Special Exhibitions Hall, Egyptian Galleries, 3rd Floor

Body Parts features thirty-five representations of individual body parts from the Brooklyn Museum’s ancient Egyptian collection, many of which will be displayed for the first time. This exhibition uses fragments of sculptures and objects created as distinct elements to illuminate the very realistic depiction of individual body parts in canonical Egyptian sculpture. Ancient Egyptian artists carefully portrayed each part of the human body, respecting the significance of every detail. When viewed individually, these sculptures and fragments reveal ancient notions of the body, as well as details of workmanship, frequently unnoticed in more complete sculptures.

This exhibition is organized by Yekaterina Barbash, Assistant Curator of Egyptian Art, Brooklyn Museum.






Two major highlights include an eye cut from crystalline limestone and blue glass that was once part of an anthropoid (human-shaped) coffin similar to the Museum’s famous Cartonnage of Nespanetjerenpere and a colossal left foot that was created as a votive offering for the god Serapis.