The British Museum
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The Queen Elizabeth II Great Court, at the heart of the British Museum was once an open courtyard, but is now the largest covered public square in Europe, enclosed under a spectacular glass and steel roof. Surrounding the famous Reading Room, the court contains twelve sculptures from the Museum collection.
Marble statue of a youth on horseback, AD 1-50 More information
Marble statue of a youth on horseback, AD 1-50
Black siltstone obelisks of Nectanebo II, around 350 BC More information
Black siltstone obelisks of Nectanebo II, around 350 BC
One of a pair of stone guardian figures, around AD 1650 More information
One of a pair of stone guardian figures, around AD 1650
Sandstone memorial slab carved with Ogam script, 5th century AD More information
Sandstone memorial slab carved with Ogam script, 5th century AD
The sculptures on display introduce the cultures represented in the galleries beyond. They range from ancient Egyptian obelisks, to a large fibreglass sculpture by Iranian contemporary artist Parviz Tanavoli.
Other pieces include examples from fifth century Ireland, late Ming dynasty China, ancient Nimrud (now in Iraq) and the Greek and Roman empires.
See this gallery on the floor plan
The history of the Great Court
Colossal marble lion
Horses through the ages, £16.99
Explore the cultures of the world in UK museums on the World Timelines website.
