In Focus: Celebrating the Sarcophagus of Seti I (15 October 2025, 1pm)

In Focus is a series of lunchtime talks with Sir John Soane’s Museum curators and conservators, in which they select an item from Soane’s vast and eclectic collection for an in-depth investigation.

Join Joanna Tinworth, Curator (Collections), at this special talk in celebration of the anniversary of the rediscovery of the sarcophagus of King Seti I.

The Sarcophagus of Seti I is perhaps the most curious object in Sir John Soane’s collection. Since it was rediscovered by Giovanni Belzoni on 17 October 1817, this extraordinary object has held a fascination all of its own. The discovery gripped the imagination of the Georgian public, and it was the subject of possibly the first exhibition organised around an ancient Egyptian theme in 1821. This talk will explore ways in which this fascination was made manifest, through discussion of drawings and objects from the Museum’s collection not normally on public display.

About the Event
Date: 15 October 2025
Time: 13:00 - 14:00. The doors will open at 12:50 for a prompt start at 13:00.
Please note that this event takes place in the Museum's Seminar Room, at No. 14 Lincoln's Inn Fields. On arrival, please come straight to No.14, where a member of staff will greet attendees. No food or drink is permitted in the room. Your confirmation email serves as your ticket.

We are in a Grade I listed, 19th-century building, so access is not always straightforward. If you require step-free access or extra assistance, please contact us in advance of your booking on admin@soane.org.uk or 020 7405 2107.

About the Speaker
Joanna Tinworth has worked at Sir John Soane’s Museum since 2016. She has worked across the Exhibitions and Collections teams, curating a diverse range of exhibitions including Egypt Uncovered: Belzoni and the tomb of Pharaoh Seti I (2017), with her focus now on researching, recording and sharing with the public the history of Sir John Soane’s unique collection of over 3,000 works of art and antiquities.