Canopic jar inscribed for Minmose

Unknown

ca. 1450–1400 B.C. · Travertine (Egyptian alabaster), paint, Egyptian blue · Egyptian Art

The owner of this canopic jar was Minmose, a troop captain whose name and title appear in the left hand column of the inscription. The rest of the text invokes the goddess Nephthys and the god Imsety, asking their protection for the contents of the jar. Nephthys was one of the four goddesses who protected the dead, and Imsety was one of the "four sons of Horus" who protected the four internal organs that were removed from the body during mummification. Imsety was usually linked with the goddess Isis to protect the canopic jar that held a person's liver. The association of Nephthys with Imsety in this inscription is a variant that is sometimes found in the New Kingdom. Traces of a pigment known as Egyptian blue are still visible in the hieroglyphs. The eyebrows, the pupils, and the cosmetic lines around the eyes were also originally painted.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 1450–1400 B.C.

Medium

Travertine (Egyptian alabaster), paint, Egyptian blue

Department

Egyptian Art

Credit line

Purchase, Liana Weindling Gift, in memory of her mother, 2005