Canopic jar of Imsety
Price: on request
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Object number
AR3249
| Object: |
Egyptian canopic jar of Imsety
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| Material: |
Limestone.
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| Period: |
Late Period of Ancient Egypt, 26th to 31st dynasty, 664 BC to 332 BC. |
| Description: |
Canopic jar consisting of body and lid. The lid has the shape of a human head with a tripartite wig. The face and ears are fully modeled and highlighted with a red surface and details in black paint. It is the representation of the Horus son Imsety in human form. The lower part of the lid is designed as a stopper that once closed the canopic jar with a perfect fit. The body of the vessel is in the form of a thick-walled cylinder that tapers slightly towards the base. The strong expression of the face delivered by large parts of the original painting being intact and the fact that the body and lid of the canopic vessel belong together makes this piece stand out. |
| Background: |
In ancient Egyptian mythology, the god Horus had four sons with Isis - Imsety, Duamutef, Hapi and Qebehsenuef. They are best known as the protectors of the organs taken from the mummy. Every lover of Egyptian art knows the so-called canopic jars. These are sets of four vessels whose lids are decorated with the heads of the Horus children. The Imsety canopic jar offered here had certainly a protective function. Together with its siblings it protected and accompanied the deceased. The protective god Imsety was responsible for the liver that must have been contained in this vessel. |
| Dimensions: |
22.5cm height. 13.2cm diameter. Only the lid 12cm height, only the body 11.5cm height.
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| Condition: |
Museum-worthy condition. Vessel and lid are complete and intact apart from small and in no way disturbing chips, most notably to the base of the vessel's body. The original red and black painting of the head on the lid is still well preserved. Modern sticker with imprint "293" on the underside of the lid.
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| Provenance: |
Acquired by us on the German art market in 2021. From the inventory of Galerie Guenter Puhze, Freiburg, Germany. A copy of the gallery's certificate of authenticity is available. Previously in the German collection H. D. B. Acquired into this collection before 1980.
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| References: |
Puhze referes to a similar piece in Hermann A. Schloegl, Geschenk des Nils, Aegyptische Kunstwerke aus Schweizer Besitz (1978), no. 280.
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| Literature: |
A. Dodson, The Canopic Equipment of the Kings of Egypt (1994).
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| Authenticity: |
We unconditionally guarantee the authenticity of every artefact, all items are subject to our lifetime return policy on authenticity.
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