Viscera figure with human head (Imsety)

Third Intermediate Period

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 130

One of four "viscera" figures found in the abdominal cavity of an anonymous female mummy, this was meant to protect the internal organs. It appears that her viscera were lost at some point, so the embalmers had made up the usual seven packets that should have contained organs (see for example 25.3.156a) with random scraps of material, including a coil of rope, a piece of cowskin, and bits of leather and rag. Human-headed, this figure represents Imsety, usually seen as the embodiment and protector of the liver.

Viscera figure with human head (Imsety), Wax

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Open Access

As part of the Met's Open Access policy, you can freely copy, modify and distribute this image, even for commercial purposes.

API

Public domain data for this object can also be accessed using the Met's Open Access API.

Viscera figure with human head (Imsety), Wax
Viscera figure with human head (Imsety), Wax
Viscera figure with human head (Imsety), Wax
Viscera figure with human head (Imsety), Wax
Viscera figure with human head (Imsety), Wax
Viscera figure with human head (Imsety), Wax
Viscera figure with human head (Imsety), Wax
Viscera figure with human head (Imsety), Wax
Viscera figure with human head (Imsety), Wax

This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Scroll left to view more.