The Graeco-Roman Museum

The museum building to house antiquities of the Graeco-Roman period in Egypt was started in 1891 and it has been extended several times. With nearly 50,000 items it is the largest collection of its kind, and it also includes items from the time of the pharaohs and the Coptic period. As well as 23 rooms of exhibits there is a small court garden containing a selection of more monumental items. Most of the exhibits were found directly in the various excavations in and around Alexandria, but the collection also includes works of art from other sites, if they date from the relevant period. The museum is the recipient of the many chance finds that occur in the historic soil of the city as well. The initial stock was provided by a private patron, John Antoniadis, who bequeathed his collection to the institution at the end of the 19th century, when it had just been founded.

Cast of a cameo
Ptolemaic Period, 3rd century B.C., provenance unknown stucco, H. 13 cm, W. 16 cm
Only very few of the original and magnificent cameos cut for the court of the Ptolemies from costly semi-precious stones (like sardonyx) have survived the ages. This antique stucco cast of a cameo that would otherwise be lost is unique. It was donated to the Museum in 1936 by Fuad I and it shows the double portrait of Ptolemy I Soter and his Queen, Berenice I, set side by side. The features of the dynasty, who was deified, are immediately recognizable by the marked shape of nose and chin; as well as the chiton and cloak he wears the ribboned diadem of his royal rank. Interestingly, the original cameo was evidently already damaged in antiquity, for the surrounding relief ground has broken off. That the cast was made nevertheless is impressive testimony to the high value placed on these products of the stone-cutter’s art. However, the marvelous Cameo is gone by all likelihood.