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Anubis Fetish (Imiut)

Middle Kingdom
ca. 1919–1885 B.C.
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 111
Two male figures, shrine, and fetishlike object were discovered by Metropolitan Museum excavators in a chamber in the enclosure wall of an elite tomb at Lisht South. The object of veneration found inside the shrine was called an imiut, "the one in the wrappings." It consists of a dummy animal (a linen form inside an animal skin), without head or hind legs, fastened by linen strips to a staff whose end rests in a jar containing now-decayed ointment. Early in Egyptian history, imiut fetishes were placed protectively around sacred spaces; later, the imiut was often depicted in relation to funerary gods, especially Osiris. Both the guardians and the imiut played an important role during rites performed over the mummy the night before the funeral.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Anubis Fetish (Imiut)
  • Period: Middle Kingdom
  • Dynasty: Dynasty 12
  • Reign: reign of Amenemhat II
  • Date: ca. 1919–1885 B.C.
  • Geography: From Egypt, Memphite Region, Lisht South, tomb of Imhotep, chamber inside the south enclosure wall, MMA excavations, 1913–14
  • Medium: Travertine (Egyptian alabaster), cedar, ointment
  • Dimensions: Vase: H. 9.2 cm (3 5/8 in.); Diam 10 cm (3 15/16 in.); Rod with vase: H. 59.3 cm (22 3/8 in)
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund and Edward S. Harkness Gift, 1914
  • Object Number: 14.3.19–.20
  • Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art

More Artwork

More Artwork
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Guardian Figure and Shrine with an imiut in a Jar
ca. 1919–1885 B.C.
Anubis or Imiut fetish (see 14.3.19–.20), Linen, animal hide with short hair; wood; animal remains
Anubis or Imiut fetish (see 14.3.19–.20)
ca. 1919–1885 B.C. or 1887–1878 B.C.
Ointment Jar, Travertine (Egyptian alabaster)
Ointment Jar
ca. 1981–1952 B.C.
Guardian Figure, Cedar wood, plaster, paint
Guardian Figure
ca. 1919–1885 B.C.
Ritual Scene with Senwosret I, Limestone, paint
Ritual Scene with Senwosret I
ca. 1961–1917 B.C.

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