The Michael C. Carlos Museum has completed a renovation of its classical galleries with the refurbishment of the 18 wall cases.

In addition, eight new cases are being designed from scratch to display small objects in an intimate way.

This major project will enable the museum to exhibit many pieces acquired or donated over the last 10 years, according to Jasper Gaunt, curator of Greek and Roman art.

Nearly 100 new objects will have brought out when the renovation is completed, he notes. "Among several pieces notable for iconographical importance or their rarity, one in particular stands apart in the supreme distinction of its manufacture: a tiny female head, carved in ivory around 600 BC," Gaunt says.

"This would have been attached to a cylindrical draped body and was probably offered as a votive gift intended to protect a building, a so-called foundation deposit figurine," he adds.

The ivory that comprises the head is blackened, having been burned in a secondary fire.

"The crisp carving, which even at this scale promotes differences in texture between the skin, hair, side-lock and rosette earrings, remains as radiant as the day it was carved," says Gaunt.

The museum remains open during the renovation, although visitors may notice work underway in some of the small side galleries. Admission is free for Emory students, faculty and staff with an Emory ID.

Museum hours are Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. The Carlos is closed on Mondays and holidays.