Thursday, March 20, 2008

Exhibition: Gianadda presents Egyptian offerings

Tribune de Geneve

Ancient artwork gathered at Martigny’s Gianadda Foundation reflects the complex relationships maintained between men and their deities thousands of years ago.

Offrandes aux Dieux d’Egypte (Offerings to the Egyptian Gods), the latest exhibition at the Pierre Gianadda Foundation in Martigny (Valais) presents a unique collection of almost 70 statues, statuettes and objets d’art, some more than 4,000 years old. Made from copper, bronze and precious metals, such as silver and gold, the works of art cover a period of 2,000 years. They have been collected from around the world by New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, which has organized the show for the Gianadda foundation.

The metal work, buried under temples amid troves of treasure, offers a fascinating glimpse into the social and cultural environment of the ancient Egyptians. There are statues of pharaohs and Gods to wonder at, as well as representations of animals – sheep and even a crocodile.

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