I Likey the Benaki!

Following my shopping spree I headed to the Benaki Museum, which was donated in 1930 by Greek art collector, Antonis Benakis. The musem was endowed in memory of his father, cotton magnate and Mayor of Athens (1914), Emmanuel Benakis. In addition, the family donated 37,000 items of their own Greek, Byzantine and Islamic collection, and over 9,000 objects were donated by other benefactors of prehistoric and modern antiquities. The museum was the former Benakis family mansion in Athens. The Benakis had a long standing association with Egypt. The family lived in Alexandria for many years as the Benakis patriarch oversaw his cotton enterprise. It was interesting to discover an Egyptian connection, as well as some more below.



The foyer was elegant and inviting for all who sought entrance.



The majestic bust of Zeus took center stage on the 1st floor.





Byzantine artwork used distinctive gold foil embossing.





These prehistoric "earth mother" figures symbolized the worship of fertility, which dated back 35,000 years!





This crystal chandelier that hung from the grand staircase was absolutely stunning!



These mysterious Egyptian "Fayum" Funeral Portraits were found in the burial tombs of mummies located in the area of Egypt of the same name. They hailed from the period when the Greek Empire occupied Egypt. Greeks have played an important role in Egyptian history. First there was Alexander the Great who conquered Egypt and founded the ancient capital and seaport city of Alexandria. Then, there was the much ballyhooed Queen of the Nile, Cleopatra. Yep! The beautiful Egyptian queen who was the great love of Marc Anthony was irrefutably Greek!













I especially loved all the period costumes and royal bling that were on display!



I even tried on a "costume" of my own in the museum shop. LoL.