Outer anthropoid coffin lid of Thuya. Luxor, Valley of the Kings, Tomb of Yuya and Thuya (KV 46), New Kingdom, Dynasty 18, reign of Amenhotep III. Wood, gilded stucco with inlays of blue glass, obsidian (eyes), light blue, dark blue, and red glass, 86 x 26 ½ x 37 in. (218.5 x 67.5 x 94 cm). Egyptian Museum in Cairo, JE 95232.1&2, CG 51006.1&2, SR 4/8.1&2. Photograph by Massimo Listri
Once upon a time, ancient Egypt had gods and goddesses for the afterlife, the seasons, and the harvest. What then must it have looked like when the Egyptian ruler Akhenaten attempted to reform religion by declaring the solar god Aten to be the principal god of Egypt? He claimed that Aten was the only god to be venerated by the king and royal family. This abrupt shift in both religious and political ideologies took place in the mid-14th century BCE. The relics of this remarkable period are now on view in San Francisco. Treasures of the Pharaohs is at the de Young through January 31, 2027, and is certain to attract lovers of all things ancient Egypt.
This touring exhibition spans 3000 years and explores not only the brief reign of Akhenaten but also offers glimpses into everyday life, alongside the religious beliefs of pharaohs and servants alike. More than 130 rare objects, on loan from the Egyptian Museum in Cairo and the Luxor Museum, are on display. From exquisite gold necklaces to a statue painstakingly carved from black granite, this expansive exhibition marks the first time many of these objects have been shown in North America.
Servant brewing beer. Giza Necropolis. Old Kingdom, Dynasty 5. Limestone, painted, 11 x 8 1/4 x 4 5/16 in. (28 x 21 x 11 cm).The Egyptian Museum in Cairo, JE 99140, SR 2/19478. Photograph by Massimo Listri
The exhibition was curated by Dr. Tarek El Awady, former director of the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. The catalogue was written by the renowned Egyptian archaeologist Dr. Zahi Hawass. Renée Dreyfus, Curator in Charge of Ancient Art at FAMSF, has shaped the exhibition as a storytelling experience, dividing the artifacts into six thematic sections.
Necklace of Ahhotep with Golden Flies, Second Intermediate period - Eighteenth
Dynasty, Gold, Length of the chain 59 cm, length of the pendants 9 cm. Photograph by Massimo Listri
The first gallery, devoted to kingship, immediately commands attention. Past incredibly well preserved statues and figures sits a gleaming gold necklace adorned with three large golden flies. It belonged to Queen Ahhotep II and symbolized military valor. The object is both beautiful and quietly arresting, setting the tone for what follows.
The section on everyday life includes a fascinating display of jewelry, tools, and cosmetics. The carved reliefs reveal the foods people once ate; some of the fruits, such as pomegranates, remain familiar today. A figure of a servant brewing beer offers a rare glimpse into an ancient craft. Tools, a baby's rattle, and pottery that miraculously still retains its glaze make the distant past feel unexpectedly immediate.
Limestone relief of Akhenaten, Nefertiti, and two princesses worshipping the Aten, New Kingdom, 18th Dynasty Akhenaten. Limestone and pigment (unspecified), 20 7/8 x 18 7/8 x 7 1/16 in. (53 x 48 x 18 cm). Photograph by Massimo Listri
The section on the Golden City is particularly compelling. The city itself was only recently discovered in 2021. Its remarkably preserved streets, workshops, and houses reveal a thriving center of administration and industry. As the largest known city from ancient Egypt, it provides an extraordinary insight into the prosperous reign of Amenhotep III, around 1390 to 1352 BC.
The exhibition concludes with a section devoted to Egyptian ideas of mortality. The outer anthropoid coffin lid of Thuya bears calm blue-lined eyes and a serene smile that gazes outward, waiting expectantly for the afterlife. Resplendently carved and richly gilded, it provides a fitting conclusion to an exhibition that succeeds not only in displaying extraordinary treasures but also in restoring the humanity behind them.
Treasures of the Pharaohs is on view at the de Young. Tickets can be purchased in advance through the museum's website.
