Outer Coffin of Menkheperre (C), usurped from Ahmose
The nested coffins of the God's Father, Priest of Amun-Re, Menkheperre, son of Fai-Mut (?), were found in the far left corner of the chamber, alongside the burial of the three original occupants of the tomb (see for one of these 25.3.1a, b). Menkheperre's coffins had been usurped from a priest named Ahmose, but they belong stylistically to the type of coffins produced in Thebes at that time, and were therefore still fairly new when Menkheperre reused them. The well-preserved mummy found inside was that of a male, forty to fifty years old.
This is the outermost of a three-part set (with inner coffin, 25.3.8a, b and mummy board, 25.3.9). Menkheperre wears a tripartite wig with the locks indicated by striations, bound by a fillet. The remainder of the lid and the sides of the box are adorned in densely-packed painted decoration applied to a golden-yellow background. On the lid, below a figure of the sky goddess Nut with outstretched wings, are multiple scenes showing Menkheperre adoring Osiris (the divine ruler of the Netherworld). The representations of the god are in raised relief painted green, while Menkheperre is depicted by line drawings in red, with only his collar and wig in raised relief. Along the sides of the box are vignettes from the Book of Coming Forth by Day (the Book of the Dead). On the inside of the coffin is a large winged djed sign, a symbol of stability associated with Osiris, beneath a human-headed bird representing one aspect of the spirit of the deceased (the ba). In the three registers on either side stand mummiform guardians of the Gates of the Netherworld.
This is the outermost of a three-part set (with inner coffin, 25.3.8a, b and mummy board, 25.3.9). Menkheperre wears a tripartite wig with the locks indicated by striations, bound by a fillet. The remainder of the lid and the sides of the box are adorned in densely-packed painted decoration applied to a golden-yellow background. On the lid, below a figure of the sky goddess Nut with outstretched wings, are multiple scenes showing Menkheperre adoring Osiris (the divine ruler of the Netherworld). The representations of the god are in raised relief painted green, while Menkheperre is depicted by line drawings in red, with only his collar and wig in raised relief. Along the sides of the box are vignettes from the Book of Coming Forth by Day (the Book of the Dead). On the inside of the coffin is a large winged djed sign, a symbol of stability associated with Osiris, beneath a human-headed bird representing one aspect of the spirit of the deceased (the ba). In the three registers on either side stand mummiform guardians of the Gates of the Netherworld.
Artwork Details
- Title: Outer Coffin of Menkheperre (C), usurped from Ahmose
- Period: Third Intermediate Period
- Dynasty: Dynasty 21
- Date: ca. 1000–945 B.C.
- Geography: From Egypt, Upper Egypt, Thebes, Deir el-Bahri, Tomb MMA 60, Chamber, Burial of Menkheperre (Ch3), MMA excavations, 1923–24
- Medium: Wood, paste, paint
- Dimensions: H. 205 cm (80 11/16 in.); W. 68 cm (26 3/4 in.); D. 90 cm (35 7/16 in.)
- Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1925
- Object Number: 25.3.7a, b
- Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art
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