Ancient art

Spanning more than 5,000 years, our collection explores the origins of Western Art and the procession of cultures through the ages.

Highlights

Nimrud ivory plaque with winged human-headed sphinx, 9th-7th century BC

Legion of Honor
Nimrud ivory plaque with two winged female figures flanking lotus plant, 9th-7th century BC

Legion of Honor
Nimrud ivory plaque with winged ram-headed sphinx, 9th-7th century BC

Legion of Honor
Nimrud ivory plaque with rampant winged griffin, 9th-7th century BC

Legion of Honor
Nimrud ivory plaque with youths flanking papyrus column, 9th-7th century BC

Legion of Honor
Plaque with bearded warrior holding bucket and pine cone or spathe, 9th-7th century BC

Legion of Honor
Nimrud ivory plaque with falcon-headed figure wearing Egyptian double crown, 9th-7th century BC

Legion of Honor
Nimrud ivory shield-shaped blinker ornament with sacred tree, 9th-7th century BC

Legion of Honor
Nimrud ivory panel with stylized tree, 9th-7th century BC

Legion of Honor

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Stories

Ben Bernthal sitting with a typewriter in front of the Ibis Coffin

Ben Bernthal sitting with a typewriter in front of the Ibis Coffin

Strangers’ Poems: Ibis Coffin

Read (and hear) a poem inspired by our Ibis coffin.

By Ben Bernthal, poet

About the ancient art collection

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