On view
Ancient Mediterranean Art
Canopic Jar,
1570–1085 BCE
Egyptian
New Kingdom, ca. 1550–1070 BCE
y1942-50 a-b
Canopic jars once held the organs of the deceased, including the lungs, liver, intestines, and stomach, which were typically removed during the mummification process. The four sons of Horus, the falcon-headed son of Isis and Osiris (god of the Underworld), were tasked with protecting the organs. In the New Kingdom, each of the sons was identified on canopic jars through a specific representation: Hapy, responsible for the lungs, was shown with a baboon head; Imsety, the liver, as a human head; Duamutef, the stomach, as a jackal; and Qebehsenuef, the intestines, as a falcon. Given the depiction of a human head on both of these jars, it is likely that they were originally meant to house the liver of the deceased.
Information
Title
Canopic Jar
Dates
1570–1085 BCE
Medium
Ceramic
Dimensions
h. 38.0 cm, diam. 18.9 cm (14 15/16 x 7 7/16 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Carl Otto von Kienbusch, Class of 1906
Object Number
y1942-50 a-b
Culture
Period
Type
Subject
At some point sold with Parke-Bernet, labelled with lot no. 282; given by Carl Otto von Kienbusch to the Museum in 1942
