Weddingbee Blog

In addition to the Chinese Rotunda and Upper Egyptian galleries, our guests will be able to browse the other exhibits on the third floor of the UPenn Museum, including: Classical World, Etruscan World, Roman World, Canaan & Israel and the Buddhism galleries.

*photo by Lauren Hansen-Flaschen (image source)

A perfectly spherical carved Chinese crystal which belonged to Empress Dowager Cixi—one of the finest in existence. The crystal ball was stolen in 1988, and its elegant silver stand, a stylized ocean wave, was found in a culvert not far from the Museum. The items were recovered in 1991 after a former museum staff member saw the statue in an area antique shop; the crystal ball was traced to a home in New Jersey and returned to the Museum.

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Guests of a wedding at the Penn Museum taking in the sights.

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There’s a strong sense of history in every corner at the Penn Museum. Highlights of the Upper Egyptian Gallery include two statues of the goddess Sekhmet from one of the Theban temples of Amenophis III (ca. 1405-1367 BC). A case along the left wall of the gallery features the portrayal of animals in Egyptian art and iconography. Numerous deities were depicted in animal form, and images of animals such as cats, falcons, serpents and even scorpions were used as amulets and votive offerings. Across the gallery is an assemblage of small-scale sculptures, including inlaid bronzes of the Egyptians’ primary god of the afterlife, Osiris, and the warrior goddess Neith, patron deity of the site of Sais.

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Greek/Roman/Etruscangasms!!

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I will be entering the Chinese Rotunda (where our ceremony is) from the Buddhism exhibition, which traces Buddhism from its 6th century B.C. origins in India, through its development along ancient land and sea routes leading into central Asia, China, Korea, Tibet and Southeast Asia and up to the present age. Not to mention, it’s totally rockin’ because it’s my favorite area of the museum!

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The Upper Egyptian Gallery is a close second favorite area of mine:

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In the center of the gallery is an imposing seated statue of Ramesses II from the temple of Harsaphes. Originally carved in late Middle Kingdom, this bad boy was usurped from an earlier ruler and refitted with a head in Ramesses’ likeness. A noteworthy feature of this statue is the disproportionately small head (due to the re-carving of the original), the reconfigured cartouches identifying Ramesses, and the noticeably worn portion of the base near the pharaoh’s feet. Non-priests, who were not permitted in the temple, used this area to leave offerings for the gods.

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A sculptor’s error is visible in the inscription on the left side of the throne, where the duck and sun disc in the title “Son of the Sun,” were reversed and had to be re-carved.

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OMG MUMMAHS!

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Even Brendan Fraser is shaking in his boots.

Is anyone else reaping the benefits of getting married in a museum?