Tutankhamun Exhibition London 2019 - A Review

3 November 2019 Saatchi Gallery London

We entered as a smallish group at 13.30 with a short tv presentation about the discovery of the tomb and Howard Carter in a 180 degree screen.

The theme of the film was two great names come together and Tuts name will live forever - which is after all what every Pharaoh aimed for.

As I entered the dimly lit gallery there was atmospheric music playing softly and the items there were certainly showstoppers - such as the Lotus vase below.   

You are allowed to take photos without a flash

* The photo's in this post are my own

I was certainly blown away by the artistry and craftsmanship.

My favourite artefact was the Arrow box.  I loved the artwork which was very delicate and beautiful.  I loved seeing a young girl sketching the Tutankhamun bow in her sketchpad whilst her mother patiently waited.  Reminded me of my younger self....  There were scenes of hunted animals and Tutankhamun shown as a Sphinx

Everyone was patiently waiting their turn to see exhibits and take photos. 

The miniature coffin to guard the kings liver - I could just see inside where there were hieroglyphs and Isis with her wings held up like she was embracing the king (in protection!)

I took lots of photos but the high humidity was getting to me a bit - which was to help preserve the ancient objects.

 There was a lot of enthusiasm although I forgot this was London and strangers keep to themselves.  I did ask a lady to take my photo of me next to a fantastic necklace

This was a well put together and tasteful exhibition although this is not for academics, rather an exhibition for the masses to ignite a new generation of fans. I was there for 2 and a half hours but it passed in the blink of an eye although by the last gallery I was exhausted and I don't think it warrants a second visit as I have to travel so far to get there.  I've seen all I wanted to see.  It was quite overwhelming and I can now imagine what the Cairo Museum must be like.

One person commented that there would be Egyptomania once again!  I certainly hope so as I was too young to experience it the first time around....

The gift shop was a mix of tasteful and tacky expensive and reasonably priced.  You could even buy a replica Golden Mask although I didn't see how much that would cost. I bought the exhibition guide book for £15 and tasteful handbag mirror (£7) and a Ankh keyring (£5 I think).  There were lots of books by Zahi Hawass including a weighty book for £50 although it wasn't just about the exhibition and had much about Tutankhamun and Akhenaten and Nefertiti. I was tempted to buy the cross stitch kit for £10 but I thought that it would end up the draw unfinished...