Canopic jar of Tetinakht: Imseti
Three canopic jars (12.181.253a–c) were found in a tomb dating to the beginning of Dynasty 18. Two of the lids are shaped like animal heads, representing the jackal-headed deity Duamutef, protector of the stomach, and the falcon-headed deity Qebehsenuef, protector of the intestines. This jar, with the human-headed lid, represents the deity Imseti, protector of the liver. These are three of the Four Sons of Horus. Missing from the set is the fourth jar, which probably had a baboon-headed lid representing Hapy, protector of the lungs.
These are the earliest datable examples of animal-headed lids on canopic jars, a style that did not become common until later in the New Kingdom. In earlier periods, the lids were different. Old Kingdom canopic jars were often covered with simple disk-shaped lids (see 14.7.16–.19), and from the Middle Kingdom into the early New Kingdom, they were usually covered with human-headed lids (see 11.150.17a–d).
For a complete set of animal-headed canopic jars, see 12.183.1a–d.
These are the earliest datable examples of animal-headed lids on canopic jars, a style that did not become common until later in the New Kingdom. In earlier periods, the lids were different. Old Kingdom canopic jars were often covered with simple disk-shaped lids (see 14.7.16–.19), and from the Middle Kingdom into the early New Kingdom, they were usually covered with human-headed lids (see 11.150.17a–d).
For a complete set of animal-headed canopic jars, see 12.183.1a–d.
Artwork Details
- Title: Canopic jar of Tetinakht: Imseti
- Period: New Kingdom
- Dynasty: Dynasty 18, early
- Reign: reign of Ahmose I
- Date: ca. 1550–1525 B.C.
- Geography: From Egypt, Upper Egypt, Thebes, Asasif, Birabi, Tomb CC 9, Carnarvon/Carter excavations, 1907–11
- Medium: Pottery, Marl A4
- Dimensions: Overall H. 29 cm (11 7/16 in); diam. 19.1 cm (7 1/2 in). Lid: H. 9.7 cm (3 13/16 in.); Diam. 11.6 cm (4 9/16 in.); Diam. of rim 7 cm (2 3/4 in.)
- Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1912
- Object Number: 12.181.253b.1, .2
- Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art
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