The exhibition will feature ancient sculptures, sacred artefacts and contemporary art from six continents to explore the diversity of ways in which femininity has been perceived across the globe, from the ancient world to the present.

Belinda Crerar, curator at the British Museum, said “This exhibition is a tour through history and around the world to see the different ways that female power and authority have been perceived in spiritual belief.

“The diversity of these goddesses, spirits, enlightened beings and saints, and their profound influence in people’s lives today and in the past, gives us pause to reflect on how femininity – and indeed masculinity – are defined and valued now and in the future.”

The show will look at the different ways in which feminine power has been embodied throughout history; in deities, goddesses, demons, saints and other spiritual beings.

Objects in the exhibition include a newly acquired icon of the Hindu goddess Kali by Bengali artist, Kaushik Ghosh, the first contemporary 3D representation of Kali in the collection.

Also in the exhibition is a ceramic incantation bowl from 500-800 AD Iraq featuring a rare early image of Lilith – known in Jewish demonology as the first wife of Adam and the consort of Satan.

The dance mask of Taraka, from the workshop of Sri Kajal Datta in India, will be on display (Kirsty O’Connor/PA)