Dismantled Coffin of Khety
The rectangular wooden coffin of the Overseer of the Storehouse, Khety, is of a type known from the mid-12th Dynasty on. The exterior decoration is relatively simple, with horizontal bands of inscription around the sides just below the lid and four vertical bands on each long side. There would have been a pair of wedjat eyes on the east side, but this panel has been damaged.
The lid, made of two planks pegged to battens, is inscribed (like the lower part of all four sides) with religious spells known as Coffin Texts in a cursive script. On the long east side is a false door, an offering table piled with food , an offering list, and stands bearing scepters, staves, and jewelry. The west side depicts clothing, toilet objects, and a headrest, also laid out on tables and stands. The floor of the coffin is covered with texts in two "islands" surrounded by blue bands signifying water. Painted on the head and foot end are sacred oil vessels and sandals.
The lid, made of two planks pegged to battens, is inscribed (like the lower part of all four sides) with religious spells known as Coffin Texts in a cursive script. On the long east side is a false door, an offering table piled with food , an offering list, and stands bearing scepters, staves, and jewelry. The west side depicts clothing, toilet objects, and a headrest, also laid out on tables and stands. The floor of the coffin is covered with texts in two "islands" surrounded by blue bands signifying water. Painted on the head and foot end are sacred oil vessels and sandals.
Artwork Details
- Title: Dismantled Coffin of Khety
- Period: Middle Kingdom
- Dynasty: mid to late Dynasty 12
- Reign: Amenemhat II and later
- Date: ca. 1919–1800 B.C.
- Geography: From Egypt, Memphite Region, Lisht South, South Khor,Tomb A, Shaft 5301 (burial of Khety), MMA excavations, 1931–32
- Medium: Coniferous wood, paint
- Dimensions: Overall: 222 × 58 × 58 cm (87 3/8 × 22 13/16 × 22 13/16 in.): a: 222 × 58.4 cm (87 3/8 × 23 in.); b: 222 × 58.4 cm (87 3/8 × 23 in.); c: 222 × 59.7 cm (87 3/8 × 23 1/2 in.); d+e: 222 × 51 cm (87 3/8 × 20 1/16 in.); f: 43.2 cm (17 in.); g: 15.9 cm (6 1/4 in.); h: 57.5 × 40.5 cm (22 5/8 × 15 15/16 in.); i: 56 × 18 cm (22 1/16 × 7 1/16 in.)
- Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1932
- Object Number: 32.1.133a–k
- Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art
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