Divine cat from ancient Egypt at Brent Museum

Brent Museum is to host an exciting exhibition focusing on one of the British Museum's great treasures: the iconic Gayer-Anderson Cat.

The ancient Egyptian sculpture will be on display at Brent Museum, in Willesden Green Library Centre, from 12 March to 10 May 2009.  This will be the first time that the cat has been displayed at another museum venue.

This exhibition is supported by the London Museums Hub, the British Museum and through the generosity of the Dorset Foundation.

About the display

This display focuses on the ancient Egyptian practise of dedicating metal statues of gods in temples, in a bid to communicate with the divine realm, and seek favours in return. Centred around the iconic bronze Gayer-Anderson Cat, the exhibition reveals how objects can be read in different ways, using archaeological and historical sources, as well as the fruits of exciting new scientific research.

Brent Museum will provide a further display of their own local collections, including Egyptian tomb goods, acquired by local businessman and philanthropist George Titus Barham in the early 20th century. Barham left his home - part of which is now Barham Park Library - and grounds - now Barham Park - to Wembley Council, which later became Brent Council. He also left many antiques, which formed the core of Brent Museum's first collection.

A varied and exciting programme of activities will support the Divine Cat exhibition. For families there will be two ancient Egyptian-themed open days, where family groups will be able to learn all about ancient Egyptian history through fun activities like clay modelling, head-dress making and writing in hieroglyphs. For adults there will be a lecture series including speakers from the British Museum and schools will be able to book a free workshop in which they will find out how archaeologists learn about the past from ancient Egyptian artefacts, as well as exploring the cat in more detail.

Brent Museum is based in Willesden Green Library Centre, 95 High Road, London, NW10 2SF. It is free to visit.

To find out more, call 020 8937 3600 or visit the Brent Museum web pages.

The Gayer-Anderson Cat is on display at Brent Museum on:

Tuesday 10am-6pm
Wednesday 10am-6pm
Thursday 10am-8pm
Friday 10am-6pm
Saturday 11am-5pm
Sunday 11am-5pm
Monday - closed