Asset number
412252001
Description
Painted wooden inner-coffin of Seni with lid: the exterior is carefully painted, with an eye-panel and standard texts, with references to the protection given to the dead man by the goddess Nut. The inside of the coffin is richly decorated. A "false door" and a table of offerings are painted close to the head of the deceased, enabling his spirit to pass freely in and out of the coffin and to receive nourishment. Elsewhere the walls are divided horizontally into zones. At the top is an elongated hieroglyph for "sky," a blue vault studded with stars; below this comes a large inscription promising that Seni will receive offerings and enjoy a state of blessedness. Next comes the "frieze of objects," a narrow band filled with pictures of granaries, items of clothing, pieces of jewellery, tools, weapons, furniture, vessels and many other commodities. Their names are written above them. Among these objects there are also amulets and items of royal regalia, such as sceptres and kingly headdresses; these would magically assimilate the dead man, whatever his rank in life, to Osiris, ruler of the netherworld. Large areas of the coffin sides are inscribed in ink with religious writings now known as the 'Coffin Texts'. These spells offer much magical assistance to the deceased, including a diagram of the realm that Seni would reach, complete with waterways, canals, islands and settlements, all neatly labeled. On the floor of the coffin is a composition called the 'Book of Two Ways', another guide to the hereafter in which again paths and watercourses are marked out for the deceased's guidance.
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