Egyptian Collection of the Hermitage Museum

The Egyptian Collection at the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg boasts a rich history that dates back to 1852. This remarkable collection encompasses artifacts from the Predynastic Period to the 12th century AD and is housed within the museum's Oriental Art section. Located in a spacious hall in the Winter Palace, this area was redesigned in 1940 by Alexander Sivkov, having originally served as the palace's main buffet area.

The collection began in 1852 with the acquisition of statuettes from Countess Alexandra Lavalle and items collected in Egypt by Maximilian, Duke of Leuchtenberg. Over the years, it has grown through various purchases, donations, and acquisitions from sources such as the Imperial Academy of Arts and the Kunstkamera.

A pivotal figure in the collection's development was Vladimir Golenishchev, the first Russian Egyptologist, who contributed significantly to its expansion and organization. Among the many treasures on display, two standout pieces include the mummy of the priest Petese and a fragment of a tablet from Ramesses II's peace treaty with the Hittites.