HKPM unveils ancient Egyptian treasures ahead of major exhibition

+4

The Hong Kong Palace Museum (HKPM) hosted a special crate-opening ceremony today, revealing three monumental ancient Egyptian statues that signal the start of preparations for its upcoming blockbuster exhibition, “Ancient Egypt Unveiled: Treasures from Egyptian Museums.”

Running from 20 November 2025 to 31 August 2026 in Gallery 9, the display promises to be the largest and most comprehensive showcase of Egyptian artifacts ever seen in Hong Kong.

Historic collaboration with Egypt’s Supreme Council

Organized jointly with Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities and supported by Bank of China (Hong Kong) as the strategic partner, along with Cathay and UnionPay International as major sponsors, the exhibition features artifacts loaned directly from Egypt—the first time such treasures have come to the city.

All items remain the inalienable property of the Arab Republic of Egypt and are temporarily lent to promote global appreciation of its cultural heritage.

Three masterpieces installed in public spaces

During the ceremony, attended by Egypt’s Deputy Consul-General Anas Shadi and museum directors Dr Louis Ng and Dr Daisy Wang, three statues were unveiled and installed in public areas outside the main galleries—a museum first.

The towering 2.4-meter, 1,700-kilogram striding statue of Pharaoh Merenptah from the 19th Dynasty now stands on the ground floor.

On the second-floor atrium, visitors will find the striding figure of Shepenwepet II, a powerful religious leader from the 25th Dynasty, and the seated statue of the goddess Iunit from the 18th Dynasty, discovered in the 1980s.

Starting tomorrow, 29 October, museum-goers can view these works up close, experiencing their scale and craftsmanship before the full exhibition opens.

Iconic statues tell stories of power and faith

The statue of Merenptah, son of Rameses II, shows the pharaoh in mid-stride, wearing the royal nemes headdress with a cobra symbol of divine rule.

His upright posture and detailed features reflect the artistic excellence of the New Kingdom. Shepenwepet II, daughter of King Piankhy and God’s Wife of Amun, holds a flywhisk as a sign of authority, highlighting the influential role of royal women in religion and politics.

The seated Iunit, consort of the war god Montu, grips the ankh symbol of life, representing her place in the sacred pantheon at Karnak Temple.

Multimedia enhances ancient wonders

Beyond the artifacts, the exhibition will feature over ten multimedia installations. A highlight uses projection mapping to digitally restore the missing parts and original colors of a colossal Tutankhamun statue, offering a vivid reconstruction of its ancient glory.

Another video explores the step-by-step process of mummification, while an interactive station lets visitors convert their names into hieroglyphs to take home as souvenirs.

Educational programs for all ages

The museum has planned a rich lineup of learning activities. Families can join workshops to craft jewelry inspired by Egyptian designs, design pyramid models with hidden chambers, or build personal cat temples honoring the sacred animals of ancient Egypt.

A special Egyptian dance performance will launch on 22 November, with further support for the city’s International Egyptian Dance Festival. Additional talks, tours, and events will be announced soon.

Tickets now available with discounts

Advance tickets went on sale last week and include access to both thematic and special exhibitions. Standard entry to Gallery 9 and Galleries 1–7 costs HK$190 for adults and HK$95 for concessions, while full access including Gallery 8 costs HK$230 and HK$115, respectively.

Options are available online through the museum, West Kowloon Cultural District, Cityline, and partner platforms. Early interest has been strong, especially for guided tours.

Final preparations underway

Curators and conservators from Hong Kong and Egypt are collaborating on final condition checks and installations to ensure every piece is perfectly presented.

With public previews of the three statues beginning tomorrow, excitement is building for what promises to be a transformative cultural experience bridging continents and millennia.