Hong Kong’s biggest Egyptian exhibition opens with Tutankhamun, cat mummies and newly unearthed treasures from Egypt

In ancient Egypt, preserving the body was essential for a successful journey to the afterlife. Gold finger stalls were designed to protect the deceased’s fingers from damage and are typically found in royal tombs from the 18th Dynasty onwards. Similar examples were found in the tombs of Tutankhamun and the wives of Thutmose. Each piece in this set is crafted to fit a specific finger, complete with delicately carved nails.

An exceptionally rare artefact seldom displayed outside Egypt, this piece consists of a statue made from cartonnage layered over a wooden frame. X-rays revealed partial remains of a calf — a skull placed within the head section, with jaw and pelvic bones in the body. The calf was about 13 to 16 months old at death.

This statue is believed to be linked to Isis, revered as the Mother of Apis. The Apis bull, a sacred symbol of fertility, was worshipped in temples, and cows that gave birth to Apis bulls were honoured as incarnations of the goddess Isis. Upon death, they were mummified and laid to rest in dedicated catacombs at Saqqara. This piece may have served as either a coffin lid or a funerary effigy carried in the goddess’s procession.

This exquisite armlet combines repoussé patterns resembling thick plaited cord with intricate gold cloisonné inlaid with lapis lazuli, carnelian and feldspar. Its decorative motifs—the djed pillar of Osiris, symbolising stability and eternal life, and the tyet knot of Isis, representing protection—intertwine to striking effect.

At the top, the goddess Ma’at’s feather emblem symbolises truth and justice, while a central cartouche of Ahmose is flanked by two reclining sphinxes. Because two pharaohs shared the birth name Ahmose, scholars remain uncertain which king this piece commemorates.

Commemorative scarabs produced under Amenhotep III celebrated his greatest achievements. Over 200 examples have been discovered across regions from Syria to Sudan, reflecting Egypt’s vast cultural influence. This particular scarab, crafted from glazed steatite, records the royal marriage between Amenhotep III and Tiye, naming Tiye’s non-royal parents.

After glazing, steatite hardens into enstatite, preserving intricate details and a lustrous blue-green finish similar to Egyptian faience.

Nefertiti, whose name means “the beautiful one has come”, remains one of ancient Egypt’s most renowned queens. As the Great Royal Wife of Akhenaten, she wielded remarkable influence during his religious reforms. Some scholars even suggest she briefly reigned as pharaoh under the name “Neferneferuaten”.

This sculpture captures her elegance and composure — almond eyes, sculpted cheekbones, and an unmistakably regal poise.

Cats were sacred in ancient Egypt, associated with the goddess Bastet, the protector of fertility and domestic life. Mummified cats were offered in temples as votive gifts, sparking an entire industry dedicated to their breeding and preservation. Studies have revealed that many of these mummified felines were young, possibly sacrificed for ritual purposes.

As guest curator and Peking University historian Dr Yan Hai Ying notes, some market specimens later proved to be faux mummies filled with stones or mud—proof that even the ancients faced issues of authenticity.

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