Ancient Greek Journeys and Connections
Exclusive to Melbourne Museum, see some of the most significant items from the prestigious National Archaeological Museum in Athens – for a limited time from 23 April–to 14 August.
Forty-four rare artefacts from Athens’ prestigious National Archaeological Museum will be displayed at the Melbourne Museum from Saturday.
Head of Zeus – Marble
Among the emblematic objects is a 400-kilogram sculpture of the head of Zeus, the Ancient Greek god of thunder, and a 2500-year-old Sphinx made of Pentelic marble.
The Sphinx, which was found in Spata in 1879, is one of several artefacts leaving Greece for the first time.
The Cycladic Figurine, unknown provenance, possibly from Naxos isalnd 2800-2300 BCE.
Cycladic Figurine– Marble
“This is a rare opportunity for our visitors to experience these exquisite objects from the most significant collection of Greek antiquity in the world,” Museums Victoria director Lynley Crosswell said.
“Melbourne Museum is proud to collaborate with the National Archaeological Museum to deliver this wonderfully contemporary exhibition.”
National Archaeological Museum director Anna Vasiliki Karapanagiotou said Victoria already had strong ties to Greece.
“Today Australia is home to one of the largest Greek communities in the world,” she said. “The state of Victoria is the heartland of the Greek-Australian community.
“It is a great honor that Melbourne Museum is hosting antiquities from our museum.”
The Open Horizons: Ancient Greek Journeys and Connections exhibition opens on Saturday and runs until August 14.
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