Funerary Figure of Imseti
This human-headed figure represents the god Imseti, who protected the liver. He is one of the four so-called sons of Horus that are often depicted as mummies, each with a different head (for the other three statuettes belonging to the same set, see 12.182.37a, c-d). The sons of Horus were deities who protected the internal organs and are probably best known from their representations on the lids of the canopic jars that contained mummified viscera. They were also thought to assist in the process of mummification and to provide nourishment, possibly because they were associated with the internal organs. Thus they had a general protective function for the deceased.
Imseti is wearing a broad collar with falcon head terminals, and a small heart amulet is depicted at the center of his chest. In addition a pectoral (a large pendant that is usually placed on the chest) is suspended from his neck, but depicted lower than usual, in the area above his knees. It features the depiction of a sun disk on a bark and is thus connected to the hope that the deceased would be reborn with the sun every morning.
Imseti is wearing a broad collar with falcon head terminals, and a small heart amulet is depicted at the center of his chest. In addition a pectoral (a large pendant that is usually placed on the chest) is suspended from his neck, but depicted lower than usual, in the area above his knees. It features the depiction of a sun disk on a bark and is thus connected to the hope that the deceased would be reborn with the sun every morning.
Artwork Details
- Title: Funerary Figure of Imseti
- Period: Late Period–Ptolemaic Period
- Date: ca. 400–30 B.C.
- Geography: From Egypt; Said to be from Middle Egypt, Tuna el-Gebel
- Medium: Plastered and painted wood
- Dimensions: H. 40.6 cm (16 in.); W. 9.7 cm (3 13/16 in.); D. 25.7 cm (10 1/8 in.)
- Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1912
- Object Number: 12.182.37b
- 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.
390–246 BCE
332–30 BCE
380–343 B.C.
ca. 924–889 B.C.
ca. 990–970 B.C.
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.