Canopic Jar

Late Period

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 127

Canopic jars were made to contain the organs that were removed from the body in the process of mummification: the lungs, liver, intestines, and stomach. Each organ was protected by one of the Four Sons of Horus: Hapy (lungs), Imsety (liver), Duamutef (stomach), and Qebehsenuef (intestines). Beginning in the New Kingdom, canopic jar lids were usually carved with heads that identify these four protectors: the baboon head is Hapy, the human head is Imsety, the jackal head is Duamutef, and the falcon head is Qebehsenuef.

This jar, with its human-headed lid probably held the liver and was under the protection of Imsety. The other three jars of the set are 12.183.1b–d.

Canopic Jar, Limestone, paint

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Canopic Jar, Limestone, paint
Canopic Jar, Limestone, paint
Canopic Jar, Limestone, paint
Canopic Jar, Limestone, paint
Canopic Jar, Limestone, paint

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