The Top 300 Museum Artifacts
Three hundred extraordinary objects that tell the human story, from the first stone tools to the Apollo spacecraft, ranked. Sculpture, treasure, manuscripts, machines and more, with the museum where each can be seen.
300 artifacts
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1Ancient Egypt · Inscription · Ancient
Rosetta Stone
The same decree in three scripts, the key to deciphering hieroglyphs.
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2Ancient Egypt · Metalwork & jewellery · Ancient
Tutankhamun’s Golden Mask
The boy king’s gold and lapis burial mask.
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3Ancient Egypt · Sculpture · Ancient
Bust of Nefertiti
The painted limestone bust of Akhenaten’s queen.
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4Ancient Greece · Sculpture · Ancient
Venus de Milo
The armless marble goddess found on the island of Milos.
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5
Ancient Greece · Sculpture · AncientWinged Victory of Samothrace
Nike alights on a ship’s prow, her drapery windswept.
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6Ancient China · Sculpture · Ancient
Terracotta Army
Thousands of life-size soldiers guarding China’s first emperor.
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7
Renaissance Europe · Sculpture · Early modernDavid
The giant-slayer carved from a single block of marble.
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8Ancient Greece · Sculpture · Ancient
Parthenon Sculptures
Frieze and pediment figures from the Athenian Parthenon.
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9Mesopotamia · Inscription · Ancient
Code of Hammurabi
A basalt stele carved with one of history’s earliest law codes.
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10Medieval Europe · Manuscript & text · Medieval
Book of Kells
The Gospels in dazzling Insular illumination.
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11Medieval Europe · Metalwork & jewellery · Medieval
Sutton Hoo Helmet
An iron and bronze helmet from a royal ship burial.
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12Medieval Europe · Carving · Medieval
Lewis Chessmen
Walrus-ivory chess pieces with glum, wide-eyed faces.
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13Medieval Europe · Textile · Medieval
Bayeux Tapestry
The Norman Conquest embroidered over nearly 70 metres (lent to the British Museum for 2026–27).
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14Mesopotamia · Inlaid box · Ancient
Standard of Ur
Mosaic scenes of war and peace from the Royal Cemetery at Ur.
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15Ancient Rome · Sculpture · Ancient
Laocoön and His Sons
A Trojan priest and his sons attacked by sea serpents.
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16
Ancient Near East · Manuscript & text · AncientDead Sea Scrolls
The oldest known manuscripts of the Hebrew Bible.
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17Ancient Greece · Science & technology · Ancient
Antikythera Mechanism
An ancient geared device for predicting the heavens.
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18Ancient Greece · Metalwork & jewellery · Ancient
Mask of Agamemnon
A gold funeral mask found at Mycenae.
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19
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20
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21
Ancient Egypt · Sculpture · AncientSeated Scribe
A painted limestone scribe with inlaid crystal eyes.
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22
Medieval Europe · Manuscript & text · MedievalMagna Carta
The charter that placed the king under the law.
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23Prehistoric · Science & technology · Ancient
Nebra Sky Disc
The oldest known depiction of the cosmos.
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24Prehistoric · Sculpture · Deep prehistory
Venus of Willendorf
A tiny limestone figure of a fertile woman.
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25Prehistoric · Carving · Deep prehistory
Lion-man of Hohlenstein-Stadel
A mammoth-ivory figure, one of the oldest known sculptures.
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26Mesopotamia · Sculpture · Ancient
Lamassu from Khorsabad
Winged, human-headed bulls that guarded Sargon II’s palace.
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27Mesopotamia · Architecture · Ancient
Ishtar Gate
Blue glazed bricks with dragons and bulls (museum closed for renovation).
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28Mesopotamia · Sculpture · Prehistoric
Warka Vase
One of the earliest narrative reliefs, a procession of offerings.
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29Ancient Egypt · Carving · Prehistoric
Narmer Palette
A ceremonial palette celebrating the unification of Egypt.
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30Ancient Egypt · Sculpture · Ancient
Colossal Statue of Ramesses II
An 11-metre granite pharaoh greeting visitors in the atrium.
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31
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32Ancient Near East · Inscription · Ancient
Cyrus Cylinder
Cyrus the Great’s account of conquering Babylon.
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33
Africa · Metalwork & jewellery · Early modernBenin Bronzes
Brass plaques and heads from the royal palace, subject to calls for return.
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34
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35
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36
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37
Ancient Rome · Ceramics & glass · AncientPortland Vase
A cameo-glass vase that inspired Josiah Wedgwood.
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38
Ancient Rome · Ceramics & glass · AncientLycurgus Cup
Glass that glows red or green depending on the light.
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39Prehistoric · Metalwork & jewellery · Ancient
Mold Gold Cape
A ceremonial gold cape from North Wales.
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40
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41Mesopotamia · Sculpture · Ancient
Ram in a Thicket
A gold and lapis goat from the Royal Cemetery at Ur.
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42
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43
Ancient Near East · Metalwork & jewellery · AncientOxus Treasure
The finest surviving Persian gold and silver.
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44Ancient Rome · Metalwork & jewellery · Ancient
Mildenhall Treasure
Roman silver tableware, including the Great Dish.
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45Ancient Rome · Metalwork & jewellery · Ancient
Hoxne Hoard
Thousands of gold and silver coins and treasures.
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46Medieval Europe · Metalwork & jewellery · Medieval
Holy Thorn Reliquary
A jewelled gold reliquary of the Last Judgement.
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47
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48Prehistoric · Tools · Deep prehistory
Olduvai Stone Chopping Tool
One of the oldest objects made by human ancestors.
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49Mesopotamia · Inscription · Ancient
The Flood Tablet
A cuneiform tablet from the Epic of Gilgamesh telling of a great flood.
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50Prehistoric · Carving · Prehistoric
Ain Sakhri Lovers
The oldest known sculpture of a couple making love.
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51Prehistoric · Metalwork & jewellery · Ancient
Battersea Shield
A bronze Celtic shield found in the Thames.
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52Prehistoric · Metalwork & jewellery · Ancient
Snettisham Great Torc
A spectacular twisted gold neck ring.
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53
Ancient Rome · Manuscript & text · AncientVindolanda Tablets
Wooden letters from Hadrian’s Wall, including a birthday invitation.
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54Mesopotamia · Sculpture · Ancient
Burney Relief (Queen of the Night)
A winged goddess on lions, flanked by owls.
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55
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56Mesopotamia · Sculpture · Ancient
Assyrian Lion Hunt Reliefs
King Ashurbanipal hunts lions in vivid carved panels.
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57
Ancient Egypt · Metalwork & jewellery · AncientGayer-Anderson Cat
A bronze cat representing the goddess Bastet.
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58Ancient Egypt · Manuscript & text · Ancient
Book of the Dead of Hunefer
A papyrus showing the weighing of the heart.
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59Ancient Egypt · Painting · Ancient
Nebamun Hunting in the Marshes
A tomb painting of a hunt teeming with birds and fish.
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60
Medieval Europe · Carving · MedievalLothair Crystal
Engraved rock crystal telling the story of Susanna.
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61Medieval Europe · Metalwork & jewellery · Medieval
Royal Gold Cup
A gold and enamel cup made for French royalty.
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62
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63
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64Medieval Europe · Regalia · Medieval
Stone of Destiny
The ancient coronation stone of Scottish kings.
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65
Renaissance Europe · Sculpture · Early modernDying Slave
A marble captive made for the tomb of Pope Julius II.
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66Mesopotamia · Sculpture · Ancient
Victory Stele of Naram-Sin
A king climbs a mountain over his defeated enemies.
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67
Ancient Egypt · Sculpture · AncientGreat Sphinx of Tanis
One of the largest sphinxes outside Egypt.
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68
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69Early modern Europe · Regalia · Early modern
Crown of Louis XV
The only surviving crown of the French kings.
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70Early modern Europe · Metalwork & jewellery · Early modern
Regent Diamond
A 140-carat diamond of exceptional purity.
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71Ancient Near East · Architecture · Ancient
Frieze of Archers
Glazed-brick royal guards from the palace at Susa.
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72
Early modern Europe · Sculpture · Early modernPsyche Revived by Cupid’s Kiss
A tender neoclassical embrace in marble.
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73
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74Ancient Near East · Inscription · Ancient
Mesha Stele
A king’s victory text naming Israel and its god.
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75
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76
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77Islamic world · Metalwork & jewellery · Medieval
Baptistère de Saint Louis
A Mamluk brass basin inlaid with silver and gold.
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78
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79Prehistoric · Metalwork & jewellery · Ancient
Berlin Gold Hat
A tall gold cone that may encode a calendar.
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80
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81
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82
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83
Renaissance Europe · Manuscript & text · MedievalGutenberg Bible
The first major book printed with movable type in Europe.
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84Medieval Europe · Metalwork & jewellery · Medieval
Shrine of the Three Kings
A golden reliquary said to hold the Magi’s relics.
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85Renaissance Europe · Metalwork & jewellery · Early modern
Saliera
A gold salt cellar of Neptune and Earth.
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86
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87Medieval Europe · Regalia · Medieval
Imperial Crown of the Holy Roman Empire
The jewelled octagonal crown of emperors.
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88
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89Prehistoric · Metalwork & jewellery · Ancient
Gundestrup Cauldron
A silver cauldron of gods and beasts.
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90Prehistoric · Metalwork & jewellery · Ancient
Trundholm Sun Chariot
A horse pulling a gilded sun disc.
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91
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92Early modern Europe · Ship · Early modern
Vasa
A warship that sank on its maiden voyage, raised intact.
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93Medieval Europe · Ship · Medieval
Oseberg Ship
An ornately carved Viking burial ship (museum closed for rebuilding).
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94
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95
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96
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97
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98
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99
Ancient Rome · Sculpture · AncientEquestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius
The only surviving great bronze equestrian of Roman antiquity.
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100
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101Ancient Rome · Sculpture · Ancient
Colossus of Constantine
Giant marble fragments of an emperor’s statue.
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102Ancient Rome · Architecture · Ancient
Ara Pacis
An altar to Augustan peace with a family procession.
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103
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104
Early modern Europe · Sculpture · Early modernApollo and Daphne
Daphne turns into a laurel as Apollo grasps her.
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105Early modern Europe · Sculpture · Early modern
The Rape of Proserpina
Pluto’s fingers press into marble flesh.
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106Early modern Europe · Sculpture · Modern
Pauline Bonaparte as Venus Victrix
Napoleon’s sister as a reclining goddess.
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107Early modern Europe · Sculpture · Early modern
Ecstasy of Saint Teresa
A theatrical vision in marble and light.
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108
Renaissance Europe · Sculpture · Early modernMoses
A horned, commanding Moses for Julius II’s tomb.
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109
Renaissance Europe · Sculpture · MedievalDavid
The first free-standing nude bronze since antiquity.
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110
Renaissance Europe · Metalwork & jewellery · MedievalGates of Paradise
Gilded bronze doors of the Florence Baptistery.
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111Ancient Rome · Mosaic · Ancient
Alexander Mosaic
Alexander faces Darius, from the House of the Faun in Pompeii.
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112Ancient Rome · Sculpture · Ancient
Farnese Bull
The largest single sculpture surviving from antiquity.
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113
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114
Ancient Greece · Ceramics & glass · AncientEuphronios Krater
A red-figure vase showing the death of Sarpedon.
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115Ancient Europe · Sculpture · Ancient
Sarcophagus of the Spouses
A smiling couple reclining at a banquet for eternity.
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116
Modern · Sculpture · ModernUnique Forms of Continuity in Space
A striding Futurist figure in bronze.
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117Islamic world · Metalwork & jewellery · Medieval
Pisa Griffin
The largest known medieval Islamic bronze sculpture.
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118Ancient Greece · Sculpture · Ancient
Caryatids of the Erechtheion
Maidens serving as columns on the Acropolis.
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119
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120
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121
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122
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123
Ancient Greece · Sculpture · AncientHermes and the Infant Dionysus
A graceful marble god holding a baby.
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124Ancient Greece · Metalwork & jewellery · Ancient
Derveni Krater
A gilded bronze vessel of Dionysian revelry.
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125
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126
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127Ancient Greece · Sculpture · Ancient
Alexander Sarcophagus
Carved battle and hunt scenes with Alexander.
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128Islamic world · Metalwork & jewellery · Early modern
Topkapı Dagger
An emerald-studded dagger meant for the Shah of Persia.
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129Mesopotamia · Sculpture · Prehistoric
Mask of Warka
One of the earliest representations of a human face.
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130
Ancient Egypt · Architecture · AncientTemple of Dendur
A complete Egyptian temple rebuilt in Manhattan.
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131
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132
Ancient Egypt · Sculpture · AncientSeated Statue of Hatshepsut
The female pharaoh in royal regalia.
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133
Medieval Europe · Textile · Early modernThe Unicorn Tapestries
The hunt and captivity of a unicorn.
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134
Medieval Europe · Manuscript & text · MedievalHours of Jeanne d’Évreux
A tiny prayer book for a French queen.
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135Medieval Europe · Textile · Early modern
The Lady and the Unicorn
Six tapestries of the senses and “my sole desire”.
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136Medieval Europe · Metalwork & jewellery · Medieval
Reliquary of Sainte-Foy
A glittering gold seated saint.
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137Ancient Greece · Metalwork & jewellery · Ancient
Vix Krater
The largest known bronze vessel from antiquity.
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138
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139
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140Medieval Europe · Metalwork & jewellery · Medieval
Ardagh Chalice
A masterpiece of Insular silver and gold.
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141
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142Medieval Europe · Metalwork & jewellery · Medieval
Cross of Cong
A processional cross made to hold a relic of the True Cross.
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143
Medieval Europe · Manuscript & text · MedievalLindisfarne Gospels
Northumbrian illumination of astonishing intricacy.
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144Late Antiquity · Manuscript & text · Ancient
Codex Sinaiticus
One of the oldest complete New Testaments.
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145Medieval Europe · Manuscript & text · Medieval
Beowulf Manuscript
The only surviving copy of the Old English epic.
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146
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147Early modern Europe · Manuscript & text · Early modern
Shakespeare’s First Folio
The first collected edition of Shakespeare’s plays.
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148Modern · Regalia · Modern
Imperial State Crown
Set with the Cullinan II diamond and the Black Prince’s Ruby.
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149Renaissance Europe · Regalia · Early modern
Honours of Scotland
Crown, sceptre and sword: the oldest crown jewels in Britain.
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150Medieval Europe · Furniture · Medieval
Coronation Chair
The chair used at coronations for more than 700 years.
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151Medieval Europe · Carving · Medieval
Lewis Chessmen (Edinburgh pieces)
Eleven of the famous chess pieces.
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152
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153Medieval Europe · Metalwork & jewellery · Medieval
Monymusk Reliquary
A tiny house-shaped shrine for a saint’s relic.
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154
Medieval Europe · Metalwork & jewellery · MedievalHunterston Brooch
A gold and silver brooch later inscribed with runes.
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155Natural history · Fossil · Deep prehistory
Archaeopteryx (London Specimen)
A feathered dinosaur linking reptiles and birds.
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156Natural history · Skeleton · Modern
Hope the Blue Whale
A 25-metre blue whale skeleton diving through Hintze Hall.
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157Prehistoric · Fossil · Deep prehistory
Broken Hill Skull
The first early human fossil found in Africa.
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158
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159Modern · Science & technology · Modern
Apollo 10 Command Module
The capsule that rehearsed the Moon landing.
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160
Modern · Science & technology · ModernDifference Engine No. 2
Babbage’s calculating engine, finally built to his plans.
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161Early modern Europe · Furniture · Early modern
Great Bed of Ware
A giant oak bed mentioned by Shakespeare.
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162
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163
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164
Renaissance Europe · Painting · Early modernRaphael Cartoons
Designs for Sistine Chapel tapestries, lent by the Royal Collection.
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165Medieval Europe · Metalwork & jewellery · Medieval
Gloucester Candlestick
A gilded candlestick crawling with tiny figures.
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166
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167Medieval Europe · Metalwork & jewellery · Medieval
Alfred Jewel
Inscribed “Alfred ordered me to be made”.
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168
Early modern Europe · Musical instrument · Early modernMessiah Stradivarius
A nearly pristine violin by the master luthier.
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169
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170Medieval Europe · Metalwork & jewellery · Medieval
Staffordshire Hoard
The largest hoard of Anglo-Saxon gold ever found.
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171Ancient Rome · Sculpture · Ancient
Warwick Vase
A colossal marble vase pieced together from fragments.
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172Early modern Europe · Metalwork & jewellery · Early modern
Girona Salamander Pendant
A gold salamander from a wrecked Armada galleass.
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173Early modern Europe · Furniture · Early modern
Petronella Oortman’s Dolls’ House
A fabulously detailed miniature Amsterdam home.
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174
South Asia · Sculpture · MedievalShiva Nataraja
Shiva dancing the cosmic dance of creation and destruction.
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175
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176
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177South Asia · Sculpture · Ancient
Lion Capital of Ashoka
Four lions back to back, India’s national emblem.
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178South Asia · Sculpture · Ancient
Didarganj Yakshi
A polished sandstone female figure holding a fly whisk.
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179South Asia · Metalwork & jewellery · Ancient
Dancing Girl of Mohenjo-daro
A confident bronze figure from one of the first cities.
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180South Asia · Sculpture · Ancient
Priest-King of Mohenjo-daro
A bearded figure in a trefoil-patterned robe.
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181South Asia · Metalwork & jewellery · Modern
Koh-i-Noor
A famous diamond whose ownership is still disputed.
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182Ancient China · Sculpture · Ancient
Flying Horse of Gansu
A galloping bronze horse balanced on a swallow.
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183Ancient China · Carving · Ancient
Jade Burial Suit of Liu Sheng
Over 2,000 jade plates sewn with gold wire.
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184Ancient China · Metalwork & jewellery · Ancient
Changxin Palace Lamp
A gilt bronze maid holding a smoke-trapping lamp.
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185Ancient China · Metalwork & jewellery · Ancient
Houmuwu Ding
The heaviest bronze vessel of ancient China.
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186Ancient China · Musical instrument · Ancient
Bianzhong Bells of Marquis Yi of Zeng
Sixty-five tuned bronze bells still playable today.
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187Ancient China · Metalwork & jewellery · Ancient
Sanxingdui Bronze Masks
Otherworldly bronze faces with protruding eyes.
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188Ancient China · Textile · Ancient
Mawangdui Silk Banner
A painted silk map of heaven, earth and underworld.
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189Japan · Sculpture · Medieval
Great Buddha of Kamakura
A colossal bronze Buddha seated in the open air.
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190
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191Japan · Painting · Medieval
Tale of Genji Scrolls
The oldest surviving illustrated scrolls of the tale.
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192
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193
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194Southeast Asia · Musical instrument · Ancient
Đông Sơn Bronze Drum
A decorated drum of rain and ritual.
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195
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196
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197
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198
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199
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200
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201
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202Americas · Manuscript & text · Early modern
Codex Mendoza
An illustrated account of Aztec history and tribute.
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203Americas · Metalwork & jewellery · Medieval
Muisca Raft
A gold raft linked to the legend of El Dorado.
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204Americas · Metalwork & jewellery · Ancient
Lord of Sipán Treasures
Gold regalia from an unlooted royal tomb.
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205
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206Africa · Metalwork & jewellery · Medieval
Mapungubwe Golden Rhinoceros
A small gold-foil rhino, symbol of royal power.
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207
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208Prehistoric · Tools · Deep prehistory
Ishango Bone
A notched bone that may record early mathematics.
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209
Africa · Metalwork & jewellery · MedievalIgbo-Ukwu Bronzes
Astonishingly intricate early bronze castings.
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210Prehistoric · Fossil · Deep prehistory
Lucy (Australopithecus afarensis)
One of the most complete early human ancestors ever found.
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211
Prehistoric · Fossil · Deep prehistoryTaung Child
The first early hominin fossil identified in Africa.
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212
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213
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214Oceania · Textile · Early modern
Feather Cloak of Kalaniʻōpuʻu
A red and yellow feather cloak given to Captain Cook.
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215
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216Modern · Science & technology · Modern
Apollo 11 Command Module Columbia
The capsule that carried the first Moon landing crew.
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217Modern · Science & technology · Modern
Spirit of St. Louis
Lindbergh’s first solo non-stop transatlantic flight.
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218
Modern · Manuscript & text · Early modernDeclaration of Independence
The engrossed parchment of American independence.
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219South Asia · Metalwork & jewellery · Early modern
Hope Diamond
A deep blue diamond with a notorious legend.
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220Modern · Metalwork & jewellery · Early modern
Liberty Bell
A cracked bell that became a symbol of freedom.
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221Early modern Europe · Science & technology · Early modern
Harrison’s H4 Marine Chronometer
The watch that solved the problem of longitude.
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222Renaissance Europe · Science & technology · Early modern
Galileo’s Telescopes
The instruments that revealed Jupiter’s moons.
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223Modern · Science & technology · Modern
Enigma Machine
The cipher machine whose codes were broken in wartime Britain.
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224Early modern Europe · Ship · Early modern
Mary Rose
Henry VIII’s warship, raised from the Solent in 1982.
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225Medieval Europe · Manuscript & text · Medieval
Codex Gigas
The “Devil’s Bible”, the largest medieval manuscript.
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226
Medieval Europe · Manuscript & text · MedievalVoynich Manuscript
An illustrated book in an undeciphered script.
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227Medieval Europe · Regalia · Medieval
Crown of Saint Stephen
Hungary’s holy crown with its famous bent cross.
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228
Medieval Europe · Regalia · MedievalIron Crown of Lombardy
Said to contain a nail from the True Cross.
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229Medieval Europe · Metalwork & jewellery · Medieval
Pala d’Oro
A gold altarpiece studded with gems and enamels.
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230
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231Modern · Sculpture · Modern
Little Dancer Aged Fourteen
A wax dancer in a real tutu and hair ribbon.
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232
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233
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234
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235Islamic world · Manuscript & text · Early modern
Tughra of Suleiman the Magnificent
The sultan’s calligraphic monogram in gold and blue.
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236Medieval Europe · Manuscript & text · Medieval
Book of Durrow
The oldest complete illuminated Insular Gospel book.
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237Ancient Egypt · Sculpture · Ancient
Menkaure and His Queen
A king and queen striding forward together.
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238Ancient Egypt · Sculpture · Ancient
Statue of Khafre Enthroned
The pharaoh protected by the falcon god Horus.
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239Ancient Egypt · Furniture · Ancient
Golden Throne of Tutankhamun
A gilded throne showing the king and queen.
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240Medieval Europe · Sculpture · Medieval
Bamberg Rider
A mysterious stone horseman inside the cathedral.
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241
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242Ancient Egypt · Painting · Ancient
Fayum Mummy Portraits
Lifelike painted faces placed over mummies.
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243Ancient Egypt · Sculpture · Ancient
Portrait Head of Queen Tiye
A tiny, expressive yew-wood head of a powerful queen.
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244Ancient Near East · Metalwork & jewellery · Ancient
Priam’s Treasure
Gold jewellery excavated by Schliemann at Troy.
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245Ancient Europe · Metalwork & jewellery · Ancient
Scythian Gold Pectoral
A gold pectoral teeming with animals and people.
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246Ancient Near East · Textile · Ancient
Pazyryk Carpet
The oldest known pile carpet, preserved in ice.
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247
Early modern Europe · Science & technology · Early modernPeacock Clock
A life-size gilded peacock automaton.
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248Modern · Metalwork & jewellery · Modern
Fabergé Coronation Egg
A jewelled Easter egg with a tiny carriage inside.
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249Early modern Europe · Architecture · Early modern
Amber Room
A room of carved amber, rebuilt after it vanished in wartime.
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250Early modern Europe · Sculpture · Early modern
Bronze Horseman
Peter the Great on a rearing horse atop a granite boulder.
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251Early modern Europe · Sculpture · Early modern
Bust of Voltaire
The philosopher seated with a knowing smile.
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252
Early modern Europe · Sculpture · ModernThree Graces
Three intertwined goddesses, shared with the National Galleries of Scotland.
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253Islamic world · Manuscript & text · Medieval
Qur’an of Baybars
A monumental seven-volume Qur’an in gold letters.
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254Islamic world · Manuscript & text · Medieval
Blue Qur’an Folio
Gold Kufic script on indigo parchment.
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255Islamic world · Science & technology · Early modern
Astrolabe of Muhammad ibn Hamid al-Isfahani
An engraved brass instrument for mapping the stars.
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256
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257Mesopotamia · Metalwork & jewellery · Ancient
Balawat Gates
Bronze bands from palace doors showing military campaigns.
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258
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259Ancient Near East · Metalwork & jewellery · Prehistoric
Chalcolithic Nahal Mishmar Hoard
Hundreds of early copper ritual objects.
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260Islamic world · Manuscript & text · Medieval
Folio from the Great Mongol Shahnama
Illustrated pages from the Book of Kings.
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261South Asia · Metalwork & jewellery · Early modern
Mughal Dagger with Horse Head Hilt
A jade-hilted dagger of courtly elegance.
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262
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263
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264South Asia · Sculpture · Ancient
Seated Buddha from Sarnath
The classic image of the Buddha preaching.
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265Southeast Asia · Sculpture · Medieval
Khmer Harihara of Asram Maha Rosei
A god combining Vishnu and Shiva.
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266Southeast Asia · Sculpture · Medieval
Prajnaparamita of Java
The goddess of transcendent wisdom in serene meditation.
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267
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268
China · Ceramics & glass · MedievalTang Sancai Camel with Musicians
A glazed camel carrying a band of musicians.
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269China · Ceramics & glass · Medieval
Ru Ware Narcissus Basin
Among the rarest and most prized Chinese ceramics.
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270
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271
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272
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273Japan · Metalwork & jewellery · Early modern
Samurai Armour of Date Masamune
Black armour with a crescent-moon crest.
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274
Japan · Ceramics & glass · MedievalHaniwa Warrior in Armour
A clay tomb figure of a fully armoured warrior.
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275Japan · Metalwork & jewellery · Ancient
Gold Seal of the King of Na
A gold seal sent by a Chinese emperor to a Japanese ruler.
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276
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277Africa · Ceramics & glass · Medieval
Lydenburg Heads
Seven terracotta heads, among the earliest in southern Africa.
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278
Africa · Carving · ModernKingdom of Kongo Nkisi Nkondi
A power figure studded with nails and blades.
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279
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280
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281
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282
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283Americas · Metalwork & jewellery · Medieval
Tumi of Lambayeque
A gold ceremonial knife topped with a deity.
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284
Americas · Manuscript & text · MedievalMixtec Codex Zouche-Nuttall
A painted deerskin genealogy of Mixtec rulers.
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285Ancient China · Metalwork & jewellery · Ancient
Sword of Goujian
A bronze sword still sharp after 2,500 years.
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286Ancient China · Metalwork & jewellery · Ancient
Bronze Ding of Duke Mao
Its long bronze inscription is a key historical text.
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287Ancient Rome · Metalwork & jewellery · Ancient
Hildesheim Treasure
The largest hoard of Roman silver found outside the empire.
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288
Ancient Greece · Architecture · AncientPergamon Altar
A monumental altar frieze of gods battling giants (hall closed for renovation).
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289Ancient Rome · Architecture · Ancient
Market Gate of Miletus
A two-storey Roman gateway rebuilt indoors (museum closed for renovation).
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290Ancient Rome · Painting · Ancient
Portrait of a Young Woman (Sappho) Fresco
A Pompeian woman pondering with stylus and tablets.
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291Ancient Rome · Sculpture · Ancient
Bronze Head of Augustus (Meroë Head)
A head buried under a Kushite temple step.
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292Ancient Rome · Metalwork & jewellery · Ancient
Ribchester Helmet
A bronze cavalry parade helmet with face mask.
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293Medieval Europe · Metalwork & jewellery · Medieval
Fuller Brooch
A silver brooch depicting the five senses.
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294
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295Medieval Europe · Manuscript & text · Medieval
St Cuthbert Gospel
The oldest intact European book with its original binding.
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296Medieval Europe · Manuscript & text · Medieval
Luttrell Psalter
Marginal scenes of everyday medieval life.
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297Medieval Europe · Manuscript & text · Medieval
Domesday Book
England’s great survey of land and property.
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298Medieval Europe · Manuscript & text · Medieval
Mappa Mundi
The largest surviving medieval world map.
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299Renaissance Europe · Manuscript & text · Early modern
Leonardo’s Notebooks (Codex Arundel)
Leonardo’s notes on mechanics, flight and geometry.
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300
Renaissance Europe · Sculpture · Early modernCellini’s Perseus with the Head of Medusa
A triumphant bronze Perseus.
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