Mummy of Nesmin with plant wreath, mask, and other cartonnage elements

Ptolemaic Period
200–30 B.C.
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 133
This wrapped and mummified body belongs to a man called Nesmin; his name means “The One Who Belongs to (the god) Min.” He was a priest for Min in Akhmim, and from the inscription on his coffin (see 86.1.50a, b) we know that his father Djedhor was a priest as well, and that his mother Tadiaset was a musician for Min. CT scans of his mummy have shown that Nesmin suffered from arthritis and died as a middle-aged man. They also revealed that thirty-one amulets are still within the wrappings. In addition to a wedjat eye on his forehead, he has an amulet representing the god Thoth on each wrist, and two strings with symmetrically arranged amulets on his torso.

Links to two blogs about this mummy
Nesmin: A Man Who Lived and Died More Than 2,000 Years Ago
The Mummy of Nesmin: A Closer Look

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Mummy of Nesmin with plant wreath, mask, and other cartonnage elements
  • Period: Ptolemaic Period
  • Date: 200–30 B.C.
  • Geography: From Egypt, Northern Upper Egypt, Akhmim (Khemmis, Panopolis), Egyptian Antiquities Service/Maspero excavations 1885–86
  • Medium: Mummified human body, linen, mummification material, faience? (amulets), painted and gilded cartonnage, plant remains
  • Dimensions: L.174 cm (68 1/2 in.); W. 37 cm (14 9/16 in.); H. 27 cm (10 5/8 in.)
  • Credit Line: Funds from various donors, 1886
  • Object Number: 86.1.51
  • Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art

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