Cartonnage fragment
This large fragment of a painted cartonnage coffin comes from a Roman-period cemetery in the Kharga Oasis. An important stop on the trade route through the Western Desert that connected sub-Saharan Africa to the Nile Valley, Kharga was also an army outpost that protected Egypt’s borders.
In the center, the god Osiris, ruler of the realm of the dead, sits on a throne supported by a lion. The ibis-headed Thoth, patron of scribes, stands before him holding a palette and pen, presenting the white-robed deceased, who is identified as “justified” (worthy of an eternal afterlife) by the crossed feathers on his head. A priest carrying an incense burner walks behind the deceased.
Behind Osiris is the canine-headed god Anubis wearing the double crown, followed by the falcon-headed god Horus, son and earthly heir of Osiris, and the goddesses Isis and Nephthys.
In the center, the god Osiris, ruler of the realm of the dead, sits on a throne supported by a lion. The ibis-headed Thoth, patron of scribes, stands before him holding a palette and pen, presenting the white-robed deceased, who is identified as “justified” (worthy of an eternal afterlife) by the crossed feathers on his head. A priest carrying an incense burner walks behind the deceased.
Behind Osiris is the canine-headed god Anubis wearing the double crown, followed by the falcon-headed god Horus, son and earthly heir of Osiris, and the goddesses Isis and Nephthys.
Artwork Details
- Title: Cartonnage fragment
- Period: Roman Period
- Date: A.D. 100–300
- Geography: From Egypt, Western Desert; Kharga Oasis, el-Deir, Roman Cemetery
- Medium: Linen, stucco, paint
- Dimensions: H. 29.3 cm (11 9/16 in.); L. 69.8 cm (27 1/2 in.)
- Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1913
- Object Number: 13.182.42
- Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
100–300
100–300
ca. 1390–1295 B.C.
100–300
100–300
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 contact us using the form below. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.