Museum Shop

Replica of our own human headed winged bull from Khorsabad, Iraq, 721-705 BC.  Part of the entrance to Sargon II throne room.  pewter with antiqued gold finish. 7/8" wide. tie tack post with butterfly clasp closure

Created for us from our own Assyrian Winged Bull.  Approx. .75"

Pewter with antique gold finish  Order#199354

Created for us from our own Assyrian winged Bull. Approx. .75"

Pewter with antique gold finish, 18" Chain included. Spring Ring closure.  Oder#199834

A copy of the Orientation Map in the first gallery of the Museum.  Lists most of the relevant ancient sites on a subdued background of the current boundaries of the countries of the Middle East.  Great for reference and class rooms. 27" x 19". The lettering is small but the map is very inclusive.

From our Current Special Exhibit

Joseph Lindon Smith

The Persepolis Paintings

A set of 8 postcards 5" x 7"

Joseph Lindon Smith (American, 1863-1950) was invited to Persepolis by James Henry Breasted, founder of the Oriental Institute, to join the OI Iranian/Persian Expecition (1931-39).  The goal of the excavation was to rigorously document and preserve the site for perpetuity.  

The Socks of Shulgi the Runner

In a Sumerian poem king Shulgi of Ur (2094-2047BCE) claimed he had super human powers and he could worship at the temples of two different cities on the same day. Which would mean he could run 200 mph!

80% cotton/nylon blend.  20% spandex
Medium:  Women US 6-10   Men US 5-9 EU 36-40
Large:  Women US 9-13   Men US 8-12.5  EU 41-47

Let us know which size you would like in the Comments 

Double sided T Shirt with the Akkadian on the front. The dog is reproduced from a clay figurine excavated at Nippur and dating to the UrIII period. ISACM A30997  Translation is on the back. 

Teal with white print.   100% preshrunk cotton

Sizes XS, S, M, L, XL

Let us know what size you would like in the comments

Double sided TShirt with the Akkadian on the front. The dog is reproduced from a clay figurine excavated at Nippur and dating to the UrIII period. ISAC A30997 Translation is on the back. 

Teal with white print.    100% preshrunk cotton

Size XXL

Double sided t shirt with the Akkadian on the front and the translation of the riddle on the back.

Black with white print 100% preshrunk cotton

Sizes XS, S, M, L, XL

Let us know what size you would like in the comments. 

Double sided t shirt with the Akkadian on the front and the translation on the back.

Black with white print.   100% preshrunk cotton

Size XXL

The Sumerian goddess Inana known in Akkadian as Ishtar is the goddess of love and war, one of the most important figures of the pantheon. The image is from a cylinder seal in our collection ISACM A27903, dating to the old Akkadian period (ca. 2250 BCE). 
The inscription is the first line of the poem Inana and Ebih by history’s first named author Enheduana.  
 

11 ounce ceramic

Tuppi (Toop-ee) came to life one day when a wise but lonely old scribe was writing a riddle about the scribal school. He began to write on the flat front of the tablet, flipping it over vertically from the bottom, and continuing to write down the curved reverse.  When he drew a double line to indicate his tablet was finished, the god Enki cast a spell. Suddenly, a smiling face appeared on the surface of the tablet, and winked at him!

Tuppi’s name means “my tablet”. 
 

plushie 3 x 5.5”  cuneiform on both sides. Comes with translation of the riddle. 

Reproductions of Bastet earrings, gf.  1.25"  including earwire

Thulth script that translates "the good ( or best ) people are those who help people"     2 long brass with gold finish    18" chain

Cuff links with the Egyptian Greetting, "May you live, be prosperous, be healthy".  blue enamel and g/p.     5/8" diameter

Cuneiform was arguably the oldest script in the world and was used for several different languages.  This short introduction is the perfect guide to not only understanding this ancient script but also the ancient past.  

Irving Finkel and Jonathan Taylor are curators of the cuneiform tablets in the British Museum

OIP 70   University of Chicago Press 1970   Out of Print

Descriptive documentation of the tombs of the Achaemenid monarchs at Nash-i Rustam, and Persepolis 

174 pages  53 figures   105 plates   Hard bound 12 x 16"

Previously owned by Chauncy Harris 

OIP 68 University of Chicago Press 1953 Out of Print

Everything you would want to know about the remains of Persepolis.  Excellent photographs and drawings.   297 pages, 123 figures, 205 plates, hard bound 12 x 16"

Previously owned by Chauncy Harris

Handwoven in Egypt, wool, beautiful rusts and oranges 6’ x 6’2”

Handwoven Wool Rug made in Egypt. Exquisite blues not often seen. 6’4” x 4’9”

Handwoven in Egypt.  Natural wool. 2’6” x 4’7”

One of a kind handmade in Turkey solid sterling silver 1 5/8" wide cuff.  The image of the winged griffin with the body of a lion and the head of an eagle, comes from the Megiddo ivories in our own collection.  The ivories were excavated by the O I in 1936-7 at Megiddo, Israel.  Dating to the Late Bronze Age IIB ca. 1300-1200BC 

Highlights of the Collections of the Oriental Institute Museum, edited by Jean M. Evans, Jack Green, and Emily Teeter.

This guide to over 100 highlights of the collections of the Oriental Institute Museum at the University of Chicago presents objects from ancient Mesopotamia, Syria-Anatolia, the Levant, Egypt, Persia, Nubia, and objects from the Islamic collection. It features all new photography, provenance information, and a brief description of each object, as well as a history of the collections and a concordance.

152 pp., 140 illustrations (most color); soft cover, 6" x 10"
 

Do we really need another children's story book about Tutankhamun? Yes! This book presents the authentic, factual story of ancient Egypt's most famous child king, based on current Egyptology, plus, for those wanting to learn more, many sidebars with in-depth information and an essay about the hieroglyphs in the book. 

Written by an Oriental Institute docent, who after many years of questions from children decided to write a book that answers those questions. Thoroughly researched and vetted with charming graphics.

ISAC Magnet with new logo a gold lotus on a black background. 2.5 x 3”

Slightly tapered black ceramic mug with the new Lotus Logo.  12 oz

Landscape spiral bound Notebook, black with the new gold lotus logo.
Pages with a line grid pattern to facilitate drawing. 7 x 5.25”

Stone Coaster with cork backing displaying the new colorful Lotus logo.  Stone absorbs moisture from your drink. 4” diameter 

Our very own King Tut on a 100% preshrunk terracotta cotton t shirt with black ink. Sizes XS, S, M, L, XL.  Let us know in the comment section which size you would like.

Our very own King Tut on a 100% terracotta preshrunk cotton with black ink.

The Spring 2021 issue of KMT magazine

The Fall 2021 issue of KMT mgazine

The Sumer 2022 issue of KMT Magazine

2021 Summer issue of KMT Magazine 

Replica of our own Lamassu, a human headed winged bull from Khorsabad, Iraq. 721-705 BC. Part of the entrance to Sargon II throne room. 
Blend of 50% cotton 50%polyester. 
Color Denim Heather. 
Size XXL

Replica of our own Lamassu, a human headed winged bull from Khorsabad, Iraq, 721-705 BC.  Part of the entrance to Sargon II throne room. 
Blend of 50% cotton and 50% polyester. Color Denim Heather.
Sizes XS, S, M, L, XL.  Let us know what size you want in the comment section. 

Graduated lapis chips seperated by blue glass cylinders.  19" shimers in the light

Strung by The Suq.

Made in Egypt of faience beads, just like they did 4,000 years ago.  23"

Faience beads made in Egypt just like they were 2,000 years ago and strung by hand in a very traditional design. 

They slightly vary in color, earth tones, and are delicate beads       necklace 29" earrings 3"

An anthology, extracted form the best of traditional and modern Persian poetry, talks of the many kinds of love.  Each poem is illustrated with beautiful Persian art and a brief biographical note on the poet.  A Perfect introduction to Persian Art and Literature.

From an Achaemenian gold ornament in the collection of the Oriental Institute. Originally made by the hammering process, with the tail partly in repouse and partly in gold wire.  From ancient Persia, 5th-4th Century B. C.

gold filled over brass,  very intricate, aprroximately 1.25" x .88" 

Reproduction of a game found at Ur during joint University of Pennsylvania and British Museum expeditions led by Leonard Woolley between 1924 and 1934. The originals were made with wood frames, inlaid with lapis lazuli and shell fragments.

Our game is a reconstruction, made from a sturdy painted wooden frame. Game rules are included, based on those of the original British Museum reproduction and our own research. Order # 1106

On one side it is a 12" ruler and on the other it lists the Rulers of Ancient Egypt from Menes 2925 BC to Ptolemy XV 44 AD.  Perfect as a stocking stuffer for your WFH office.

Handmade in Egypt with scarab and faience beads (mummy beads).  Colors will vary but all are earthtones.  very light weight.  2.75" including ear wire.

The Senet game is played on boards simliar to those found in the tombs of Egyptian Kings such as Ramses III and Tutankhamen. The Egyptians referred to the game in hieroglyphs as one of "passages" with the movement of the pieces representing the wanderings of the soul in the underworld. The hieroglyphs on the sides of the Senet game are reproductions of hieroglyphs found on a 3,000 year-old papyrus and describe the wandering in the game. The game rules of play have been enjoyed by thousands of game enthusiasts. We believe they will give you hours of entertainment and the game will be a beautiful addition to your home.

• Includes wooden game board, playing pieces, “throw-sticks” and instructions  Order # 1795

Written by Barbara Breasted Whitsides, the grandaughter of James Henry Breasted founder of the Oriental Institute.  We've been told by many that this beginner's guide to Arabic letters and words is quite good, and many who have learned Arabic, wish they had started with this book.  It is spiral bound and comfortably demystifies the Arabic alphabet letter by letter.

This grahic novel is a collaboration between father and son.  Kent H. Dixon has translated into English the entirety of the Epic of Gilgamesh, including Tablet V and his son, Kevin H. Dixon a comix artist, has brought a fresh take on the epic.

We will miss Martyl Langsdorf whose 1987 exhibit at the Oriental Institute was enjoyed by all.

Poster 20" x 28"   Order # 1786

48 images to color of famous Egyptian scenes.8.5 x 11". From King Tut and Cleopatra to the dancing girls and Isis.

Just Published!

Autographed by Author.

This fictional story loaded with historical details and ancient actors is geared toward middle school.  Written by Malayna Evans, an OI Alumna with a PhD in Egyptian History from the University of Chicago, it is part of a time travel series where Jagger and his younger sister Aria go on a magical adventure full of gods, mummies and wriggling creatures.

The Epic of Gilgamesh, one of the oldest stories in the world, is divided into three episodes with each page full of beautiful color drawings.  In this episode Gilgamesh the tyrant meets the "uncivilized" Enkidu and learns lessons of friendship and true humanity that will change him forever.  Order #2900

The Epic of Gilgamesh, one of the oldest stories in the world, is divided into three episodes with each page full of beautiful color drawings.  In this episode Gilgamesh, the mighty king of Uruk, sets out on his last quest to find the secret of immortality.  Order#2903

The Epic of Gilgamesh, one of the oldest stories in the world, is divided into three episodes with each page full of beautiful color drawings.  In this exciting episode Gilgamesh the King and his best friend Enkidu undertake heroic adventures and slay terrible monsters.  Order # 2901

Covers the political, cultural and socio-ecconomic history as well as the daily life of Mesoptamia from prehistory to the early common era. The Sumerians, Akkadians, Babylonians and Assyrians inhabited this area between the rivers of the Tigris and the Euphrates that is mostly common day Iraq.

This volume details some of the most extraordinary artifacts ever excavated in the southern Levant that are on permanent display in the Oriental Institute Museum.  It documents the stratigraphy of Megiddo from The Early Bronze Age to the Iron I Period and presents a selection of highlights from the Institute's greater Syro-Palestine collection.

Gabrielle V. Novacek

 Oriental Institute Museum Publications 31    Order #15034

This is the first comprehensive study of birds in ancient Egyptian society, economy, art, and religion. Essays address the role of birds in the religious landscape, their use in hieroglyphic and Coptic scripts, birds as protective symbols, as decorative motifs, and as food. Plus a group of essays on “Egyptian Birds and Modern Science.”

Pp. 232; 210 illustrations (most in color)   Order # 16388

This is the catalog for the Oriental Institute Museum Special Exhibit of the same name. With an introduction by Professor McGuire Gibson, this up-to-date account describes the state of the Iraq National Museum in Baghdad and chronicles the damage done to archaeological sites by illicit digging.

Curent OI Book Club book

A highly readable and authoritative account of all aspects of the ways of life of the Sumerians.  Paul Collins reveals how the idea of a Sumerian people was assembled from archaeological and textual evidence uncovered in Iraq and Syria over the last 150 years,  Reconstructed through the biases of those who unearthed them, the Sumerians were reinvented a number of times.

Hardcover, 214 pp, chronology, 52 illus, references, bibliography, index.

Our Work: Modern Jobs – Ancient Origins is the catalog for a photo-based exhibit that reveals that many modern professions originated in the ancient Middle East. Artifacts from the Oriental Institute Museum were paired with a baker, farmer, manicurist, brewer, poet, boat builder, judge and other professionals to show the antiquity of these jobs. The portraits are accompanied by commentary on the contributions of the ancient Middle East to life today and new insights into how members of the public view their relationship to the past. This volume will be of interest to educators, historians, and those interested in fine-arts photography.

Photographs by Jason Reblando, interviews by Matthew Cunningham, edited by Jack Green and Emily Teeter

Pp. 128; 24 tintype portraits, 46 illustrations    Order # 17116

This companion volume and catalog to the exhibit of the same name traces the life of Meresamun whose mummy, dating to about 800 B.C., is one of the highlights of the Oriental Institute's Museum. The text introduces the historical and cultural setting of Egypt during her time. Essays and artifacts examine the role of music and of musicians in Egyptian temple cults, their training, and the types of musical instruments that Meresamun would have used. The life of Meresamun outside the temple is explored, with emphasis upon her social and legal status, what other professions were available to her, and what home life was like. The study of the life of this individual is augmented by forensic evidence obtained with the newest generation of CT scanners that sheds light on Meresamun's life and death.