Mummy bandage inscribed with a wedjat eye

Third Intermediate Period

ca. 1000–945 BCE

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 126

Henettawy's unembalmed body was wrapped in bandages of fine linen, inscribed in places with protective emblems. This fringed square bears a wedjat, the healed eye of Horus, roughly drawn in ink. Wounded in battle and then made whole again, this eye was a potent symbol of regeneration. In this context, it indicated that the linen was of very fine quality.

Artwork Details

Object Information

Overview

Provenance

References

Title: Mummy bandage inscribed with a wedjat eye
Period: Third Intermediate Period
Dynasty: late Dynasty 21
Date: ca. 1000–945 BCE
Geography: From Egypt, Upper Egypt, Thebes, Deir el-Bahri, Tomb of Henettawy F (MMA 59), MMA excavations, 1923–24
Medium: Linen
Dimensions: L. 14 × W. 12 cm (5 1/2 × 4 3/4 in.)
Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1925
Object Number: 25.3.186
Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art

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Outer Coffin of the Chantress of Amun-Re Henettawy, Wood, gesso, paint, varnish — Outer Coffin of the Chantress of Amun-Re Henettawy
ca. 1000–945 BCE

Shield, Girolamo da Treviso Italian, Wood, linen, gesso, gold leaf, polychromy, Italian, probably Bologna — Shield
Attributed to Girolamo da Treviso
ca. 1535

Jar from the tomb of Sennedjem, Painted red pottery — Jar from the tomb of Sennedjem
ca. 1290–1224 BCE

Knotted bracelet, Linen — Knotted bracelet
ca. 1000–945 BCE

Costume Armor in the Classical Style, Hallé French, Helmet: linen, papier-mâché, bole, gold leaf, graphite; tunic: silk, cotton, metal coils and spangles, metallic yarn, French, Paris — Costume Armor in the Classical Style
Helmet includes original paper label of Hallé
ca. 1788–90

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