The Coptic Museum houses the largest collection of Coptic artifacts in the world and was inaugurated in 1910. The museum was established through the efforts of Marcus Simaika Pasha, a prominent Coptic figure who was vested in the preservation of Coptic heritage. Simaika Pasha bought and collected Coptic antiquities and various architectural elements from older churches that were undergoing renovation, and used them to built the museum and establish its collection.
The collection represents Coptic history from its earliest beginnings in Egypt through to its rise as a leading center of Christianity in the world. Coptic Christianity traces its origins to a visit by Saint Mark in the city of Alexandria in the 1st Century A.D. The artifacts on display in the museum show the merge of Coptic art with the prevailing cultures including Pharaonic, Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman, and its evolution in developing its own character and identity.
Magnificently decorated manuscripts, icons, delicately carved woodwork and elaborate frescos with religious scenes recovered from ancient monasteries and churches are among its extensive collection.
Icon of the Holy Family’s flight into Egypt
This icon depicts the flight of the Holy Family into Egypt. The Virgin Mary is riding a white horse, while Jesus can be seen sitting on St. Joseph’s right shoulder.
Date: 18th century AD
Medeuim:Wood
Psalter
The first complete version of the Psalter had been found in a cemetery dates back to early Christianity. It was placed under a child mummy.
Beni Suef
4th - 5th century A.D
Icon of Saint Antony and Saint Paul
This famous icon represents the visit of Saint Antony (on the left) to Saint Paul, who lived in the eastern desert near the Red Sea.
Three monumental keys of Monasteries
Three monumental keys of monastries from sohag. Two of them are decorated like a Corinthian column capital and the third is decorated with a cross.
Medium: Iron, Bronze and Copper.
Provenance: Sohag.
12th - 13th Centuries A.D.
Decorated niche of Virgin Mary
Decorated Niche of Virgin Mary suckling the infant Jesus.
Excavations at the Monastery of St. Jeremiah in Saqqara have yielded several niches that were pierced into the eastern walls of monks’ cells. Monks used these niches as spaces in which to pray. These niches bear Christian scenes showing the enthroned Jesus. Two niches are decorated with the Virgin Mary nursing the infant Jesus. She is depicted flanked by angels and saints.
Date: 6th or 7th century A.D
Mideum:Tempera
Monastery of St. Jeremiah - Saqqara
