In late 2017, the RD Milns Antiquities Museum purchased three ancient Egyptian artefacts with funds from the historic Castlehow Bequest.
Established in the early 1970s with funds bequeathed by Associate Professor Stanley Castlehow, the bequest has contributed to the purchase of over 300 ancient artefacts.
Dr Janette McWilliam, Director, said the Castlehow Bequest is a gift that keeps on giving.
“Associate Professor Castlehow was a lecturer in Greek language at UQ from 1915-1957,” she said.
“His bequest enables us not only to make strategic purchases for teaching and research, but helps us to the preserve the collection as a whole for future generations of students and scholars.”
Two of the artefacts are ancient Egyptian amulets made of faience (glazed composition) and dating to the 8th to 4th centuries BC.
One amulet depicts the Egyptian god Thoth in the form of an ibis, while the other features the gods Horus, Isis and Nepthys.
A third artefact is a fragment of larger faience vessel and features the head of the Egyptian god Bes, dating to the 3rd century BC.
“These artefacts are an important addition to the Museum’s teaching collection, and will contribute to education programs for secondary school aged children,” Dr McWilliam said.
The three artefacts were purchased from Charles Ede Antiquities, London and were originally part of the Mr G Mustaki Collection, Alexandria, Egypt.
They were exported to the United Kingdom from Egypt under licence in 1949.
