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The Must-See Treasures of the ROM

There’s more to the ROM than first meets the eye. Discover the stars in the ROM’s collections - known and respected around the world for their cultural importance and rarity.

Tomb of General Zu Dashou (Ming Tomb)
ROM Gallery of Chinese Architecture, Level 1
Legendary in Chinese history, General Zu Dashou was celebrated for his defence of the Ming dynasty against the Manchu invasion.
 
 
 
The Paradise of Meitreya
Bishop White Gallery of Chinese Temple Art, Level 1
This wall painting, one of the best-preserved examples of its kind, forms the centrepiece of one of the world's most important collections of Chinese temple art.

 
 
 
Totem Poles
Rotunda, Levels 1 to 3
Our four totem poles were carved by the Nisga’a and Haida peoples of Canada’s Pacific Northwest Coast, and commemorate family origins, rights, privileges, achievements and experiences.
 
 
The Death of General Wolfe
Sigmund Samuel Gallery of Canada, Level 1
This iconic painting recreates the pivotal moment in 1759 when Britain defeated France on the Plains of Abraham. As one of only five original versions painted by Benjamin West, it hangs in the Sigmund Samuel Gallery of Canada.
 
 
Tagish Lake Meteorite
Teck Suite of Galleries: Earth's Treasures, Level 2
The ultimate deep-space time capsule, this small black rock plummeted from space carrying organic material dating back 4.5 billion years. Much of the meteorite remains frozen in the ROM's vaults for research, but a sizable piece is on display in the Teck Suite of Galleries: Earth’s Treasure.
 
 
 
Cerussite Gem: Light of the Desert

Teck Suite of Galleries: Earth's Treasures, Level 2
The ROM has the world's largest Faceted cerussite, and extremely fragile mineral that is almost impossible to cut!
 
 
White Rhinoceros

Life in Crisis: Schad Gallery of Biodiversity, Level 2
This white rhino is a rare specimen and the centerpiece of the Life in Crisis: Schad Gallery of Biodiversity. Born in South Africa, "Bull" was a mighty 4,500 pounds.
 
 
 
Barosaurus (“Gordo”)
James and Louise Temerty Galleries of the Age of Dinosaurs, Level 2
This rare, longnecked sauropod skeleton is the largest mounted dinosaur in Canada (90 feet long).
 
 
 
"Kunti" (Blue Lady)
Sir Christopher Ondaatje South Asian Gallery, Level 3
Listen as artist, Navjot Altaf, speaks about the sculpture "Kunti" (blue lady) from the series "In Response to,” A modern twist on conventional South Asian art, the larger than life sculpture is inspired by village witch-trials and fertility goddesses. Its brilliant blue references the indigo trade and the traditional Hindu colour of divinity.
 
 
 
Striding Lion
Wirth Gallery of the Middle East, Level 3
A city known for many of the great wonders of the world, the striding lion of Babylon once adorned the citadel of the Nebuchadnazzar castle. Found in the throne room, the decorated relief on clay bricks is extremely rare.
 
 
 
Head of Cleopatra
Galleries of Africa: Egypt, Level 3
This granite bust is most likely a representation of one of history’s most famous women – Cleopatra. Only three pieces of Ptolemaic sculpture like this exist in the world today.
 
 
 
Statue of Sekhmet
Galleries of Africa: Egypt, Level 3
Dating to the reign of King Tutankhamun’s grandfather, this Egyptian sculpture is a very fine example of one of the oldest known Egyptian deities, the lion-headed warrior goddess also known as “Mistress of Dread” and “Lady of Slaughter.”

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