The Kelsey Museum is excited to announce the opening of the third installment in its “Object Spotlight” series, featuring a selection of artifacts from the Mediterranean, North Africa, and the Middle East spanning the period of 400 to 1800 CE. As with the previous spotlights, this display provides a preview of the objects and themes that will be part of the permanent Crossroads of Culture gallery, set to open in the spring of 2026.
The artifacts on display in Object Spotlight #3—chosen by staff members at the Kelsey Museum—encompass a wide range of media, purposes, and places of origin, but they share common threads. In addition to blending beauty and utility, these objects demonstrate the rich cultural and intellectual exchange that occurred among religious and social groups in the eastern Mediterranean region after the fall of the Western Roman Empire. Artifacts on display include:
Lintels from Egypt: The tradition of Egyptian wood carving, which flourished during the 11th and 12th centuries, produced impressive architectural lintels adorned with blessings in Arabic.
Coptic Relief Panels: Before the Islamic period, Egypt’s architectural elements bore the marks of Byzantine control. These pieces showcase a blend of continuity and innovation in artistic traditions.
Byzantine Coins: Marked with imperial imagery, these artifacts provide insights into the Byzantine Empire’s political, religious, and economic spheres.
Islamic Glass: The medieval Islamic world produced a wide array of glass objects, from lamps and cups to cosmetic flasks and trade-related items like glass coins and weights.
Islamic Ceramics: Decorated with intricate motifs, inscriptions, and vibrant glazes, ceramics were central to daily life and architecture in the Mediterranean region.
Pages from the Description de l’Égypte: This monumental work—stemming from Napoleon’s early 19th-century expedition to Egypt—includes detailed illustrations of Egyptian culture.
- Textile Reproductions: Whether worn as garments or used as wall furnishings, textiles from the medieval Middle East were sources of beauty and status for their owners.
Object Spotlight #3 will be on display on the second floor of the Kelsey Museum through December 2024. During this time, the visitor feedback station will remain open to allow patrons to provide their input on the development of the Crossroads of Culture gallery. Photos of the objects and their accompanying texts can also be viewed on the Kelsey’s website here.
