CLOSE MENU

Coffin for a raptor containing a mummy

A rectangular wooden coffin surmounted by a carved image of a recumbent mummiform falcon wearing the double crown. The coffin is made from a single piece of wood, with an inset opening on the bottom to house the mummy. The body of the falcon is poorly defined and the face is not detailed. It is possible that the eyes had been in another material. The entire object was covered by a thin layer of plaster, and the top, at least, was gilded. Oils have been poured over it, thereby obscuring the gilding.
The CT scans show that inside the box is a small textile wrapping containing a skeletal structure that is difficult to identify due to its size. It could be a young bird, perhaps a raptor, but the body position is unusual: supine posture with lower limbs extended and upper limbs semi-flexed at the elbow.

Cat. 2376
Wood
6.1 cm x 8.5 cm x 17.7 cm
Unknow date
Unknown
Old Fund, 1824–1888
Museum / Floor 1 / Room 11 RET / Armadio 48 SA / Ripiano 02
Museo Egizio