- Museum number
- EA20745
- Description
-
Mummy of Irethoreru, a man aged between 40 and 50 years, with a gilded cartonnage mummy-mask.His mask presents a lifelike, yet idealized image. It appears to have been attached to the foundation layer of resin which was applied directly to the bandages. A network of blue glazed composition beads and small polychrome beads lies over the body. A winged figure of Nut was incorporated into the upper section of the net, on the breast.
Skull - Mouth closed. All teeth apparently present. The skull though loose shown no obvious fractures; no trace of the cervical vertebrae can be detected.
Thorax and Abdomen - Some packing material including a large cylindrical object, probably a roll of resin-soaked linen, is visible in the right hemithorax. A small falcon-pectoral can be seen and below it two small amulets (wedjat-eyes). No fractures or dislocations of ribs, dorsal and lumbar spin, pelvis or hips.
Arms - Flexed at the elbows. Forearms crossed, right over left, on the breast, the hands on the shoulders.
Legs - No fractures or dislocations. Well-defined lines of arrested growth, lower ends of the tibiae. The menisci are opaque.
- Dimensions
-
Height: 26.50 centimetres (mummy)
-
Length: 166.50 centimetres (mummy)
-
Width: 38.50 centimetres (mummy)
- Curator's comments
- Found in 1888,0512.98.a
Irethoreru was a priest at the important city of Akhmim, cult centre of the fertility god Min. His father Ankhwennefer was "Second Prophet" of the god, a post which suggests that the family enjoyed high status. This is certainly borne out by the rich trappings of Irethoreru's mummy.
Bibliography:
J. Mack, ‘Masks : the art of expression’ (London, 1994),p. 176, fig. 122;
J.H. Taylor and N.C. Strudwick, Mummies: Death and the Afterlife in Ancient Egypt. Treasures from The British Museum, Santa Ana and London 2005, pp. 64-5, pl. on pp. 64-5.
D. Antoine and M. Vandenbeusch, Egyptian mummies. Exploring ancient lives, Sydney 2016, pp. 82-104.
- Location
- Not on display
- Exhibition history
-
2005-2008, California, The Bowers Museum, Death and Afterlife in Ancient Egypt
2012 July -September, Tokyo, Mori museum, The Book of the Dead: Journey Through the Afterlife
2012, October - November, Fukuoka Museum of Art, The Book of the Dead
2013, May - September, Perth, Western Australian Museum, The Book of the Dead
2016-2017 10 Oct-30 Apr, Sydney, Powerhouse Museum, Ancient Lives
2017 16 Jun-18 Oct, Hong Kong Science Museum, Ancient Lives
2017-2018 14 Nov-20 Feb, Taiwan, National Palace Museum, Ancient Lives
2018 16 Mar-22 Jul, Brisbane, Queensland Museum of Art, Ancient Lives
2019-2020 14 Sept- 29 Mar, Montreal, Museum of Fine Arts, Ancient Lives
- Condition
- fair
- Acquisition date
- 1888
- Department
- Egypt and Sudan
- BM/Big number
- EA20745
- Registration number
- 1888,0512.98.b