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Canopic jar lid

Middle Kingdom
ca. 1878–1840 B.C.
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 109
This sculpted head was the lid of a canopic jar, one of the four containers for the organs that were removed during mummification. In previous periods, canopic jars had simple disc-shaped or hemispherical lids. In the late First Intermediate Period to early Middle Kingdom, however, lids in the form of human heads were introduced.

The hooded eyes, marked cheek bones, and the lines beside the nostrils of this head can be compared to the features found in the quartzite face of Senwosret III (26.7.1394).

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Canopic jar lid
  • Period: Middle Kingdom
  • Dynasty: Dynasty 12
  • Reign: reign of Senwosret III possibly
  • Date: ca. 1878–1840 B.C.
  • Geography: From Egypt, Memphite Region, Lisht South, tomb of Senwosretankh, Pit 44, MMA excavations, 1932–33
  • Medium: Painted limestone
  • Dimensions: H. 12.5 cm (4 15/16 in); W. 12 cm (4 3/4 in); D. 12 cm (4 3/4 in)
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1933
  • Object Number: 33.1.8
  • Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art

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Name Panels from the Inner Wall of Senwosret I's Pyramid Complex, Limestone
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