An age of luxury: the Assyrians to Alexander

Ancient luxuries were precious, pleasurable and opulent items – widely coveted and used to show power and status.

Often they had travelled great distances, were difficult to acquire or were made by skilled craftspeople.

This exhibition explores why there was an increase in the production and variety of luxury items after 900 BC.

It uncovers the ways in which luxuries were demanded, used and traded by powerful Near Eastern empires, such as Assyria, Babylon and Iran.

Visitors will encounter objects in an impressive range of materials, from stone, gold and silver to clay and glass, and from large sculptures to small, exquisite treasures.