Amuletten, gevonden in Egyptische graven, in het Boulaq Museum in Caïro, Egypte before 1871

This photograph by Hippolyte Délié depicts a collection of amulets discovered in Egyptian tombs, which were then displayed in the Boulaq Museum in Cairo. The image offers a glimpse into the visual culture of 19th-century Egypt, a period marked by European colonial interests and archaeological expeditions. During this time, ancient Egyptian artifacts became objects of fascination and collection, feeding into a Western narrative of discovery and ownership. Museums like the Boulaq, and later the Egyptian Museum, served as both centers of national pride and sites of cultural appropriation, where artifacts were classified, studied, and displayed according to European scholarly traditions. Photographs of museum collections were an important means of disseminating knowledge. In this context, Délié's photograph can be understood as part of a larger visual economy that shaped perceptions of Egyptian history and identity. By examining archival documents, museum records, and travel accounts, we gain a deeper appreciation of the complex social and institutional forces that shaped the production and reception of art.