While we’re stuck inside, we thought we’d share some inspiration from the collection.

In this blog, staff have picked some inspiring stories and powerful objects: http://ow.ly/9pVd30qwwln 
Here’s a selection

Stay tuned for more next week!

Director Hartwig Fischer has picked this ancient Egyptian cat – he says: ‘This cat has traversed millennia; sitting motionless it holds the past, awaits the future – I felt that it was there to guide us silently to another epoque, full of promises and new directions.’

For Collection Manager David Noden, this Maya lintel ‘proved to be a gateway into a world I knew nothing about’, and says ‘the thing about objects is they inspire you to learn more’.

Which objects have inspired you to learn more?

Jiyi Ryu, Curator of the Korean Collections, has chosen this powerful roof tile made in the 7th or 8th century AD. These kind of tiles were placed at the top corners of the roofs of royal buildings, Buddhist temples and houses, and were designed to ward off evil spirits.

Security Warder Davina Seelumbur’s pick is this statue of Amenhotep III – ‘it is always a pleasure to walk through the gallery to view my favourite object. The pharaoh’s enchanting face and strong form evokes images of the fascinating art and culture of ancient Egypt.’

Visitor Assistant Jasmine Lota enjoys having ‘a good look around the collections to find small treasures’.

She says these 18th-century chocolate cups are not to be missed, and they have a connection with Museum founder Hans Sloane.