Canopic jar with a human-headed lid
Canopic jars were made to contain the embalmed viscera removed from the body in the process of mummification. The organs were placed under the protection of the Four Sons of Horus, whose heads form the lids of the jars: Hapy (baboon-headed), Imseti (human-headed), Duamutef (jackal-headed), and Qebehsenuef (falcon-headed). In turn these gods were under the protection of the goddesses Nephthys, Isis, Neit, and Selqet, respectively, as the inscriptions on the jars state.
This jar was under the protection of Imseti and Isis and would probably have contained the liver.
This jar was under the protection of Imseti and Isis and would probably have contained the liver.
Artwork Details
- Title: Canopic jar with a human-headed lid
- Period: Late Period, Saite
- Dynasty: Dynasty 26
- Date: 664–525 B.C.
- Geography: Possibly from Upper Egypt, Thebes; From Egypt
- Medium: Travertine (Egyptian alabaster)
- Dimensions: Jar with lid: H. 38 × Diam. 22 cm (14 15/16 × 8 11/16 in.); Jar: H. 25.5 × D. 21.5 × Circ. 67 cm (10 1/16 × 8 7/16 × 26 3/8 in.); Diam. of rim (jar): 13.1 cm (5 3/16 in.); Diam. of base (jar): 12 cm (4 3/4 in.); Lid: H. 16.5 × W. 17 × D. 18.4 cm (6 1/2 × 6 11/16 × 7 1/4 in.); Diam. of foot (lid): 11.5 cm (4 1/2 in.)
- Credit Line: Theodore M. Davis Collection, Bequest of Theodore M. Davis, 1915
- Object Number: 30.8.125a, b
- Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art
Audio
3540. Canopic Jar with a Human-Headed Lid
0:00
0:00
We're sorry, the transcript for this audio track is not available at this time. Please email info@metmuseum.org to request a transcript for this track.
More Artwork
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.