- Museum number
- EA22108
- Description
-
Mummy of a boy (2 years, +/- 9 months).
Skull - Somewhat flexed. Teeth present. No fractures.
Thorax and Abdomen - The spinal column appears to be intact. The mummy has been very tightly wrapped and in consequence many of the lower ribs have been dislocated and the pelvis has been compressed.
Arms - Extended. Hands over pubic area.
Legs - The bones and joints appear normal for age and show no evidence of disease.
The mummy is enclosed in a case of resin-impregnated linen, with elaborate gilded cartonnage head and foot sections, with polychrome painted details and decoration: the outer wrapping has been decorated with four bands of painted and gilded vignettes - 1) figure of a lector priest, with feather on head, recites from a papyrus before Osiris and Isis; 2) the deceased, or another priest, carries a jar, in veiled hands, into the presence of Ra-Horakhty; 3) Weighing of the Heart before Osiris with, on the left, the purification of the dead child by Thoth; 4) Anubis mummifies the deceased with representation of a funerary barque on right; the elaborate mask has painted eyes and moulded features, hair curled, hands clasp edges of the head-cloth and hold a spray of pink flowers and green leaves; further vignettes are painted at the sides of the head; amuletic signs around foot-section.
- Production date
- 40-60 (circa)
- Dimensions
-
Height: 85.50 centimetres
-
Width: 33.50 centimetres
-
Depth: 27.50 centimetres
- Curator's comments
- Found with 1888,0806.7
Bibliography:
S. Walker and M. Bierbrier, 'Fayum. Misteriosi volti dall'Egitto' (London, 1997), p. 68 [38];
Roberts, in M. L. Bierbrier (ed.), 'Portraits and masks : burial customs in Roman Egypt ' (London, 1997), p.21 [pl.23.4];
J. Filer in M. L. Bierbrier (ed.), 'Portraits and masks : burial customs in Roman Egypt ' (London, 1997), p.123 [pl.45.1].
J.H. Taylor & D. Antoine, Ancient lives, new discoveries, London 2014, pp. 150-165.
R. Loynes, Prepared for eternity. Archaeopress Egyptology 9, 2015, passim.
D. Antoine and M. Vandenbeusch, Egyptian mummies. Exploring ancient lives, Sydney 2016, pp. 140-53.
- Location
- Not on display
- Exhibition history
-
1997 22 Oct-1998 30 Apr, Italy, Rome, Fondaione Memmo, Ancient Faces
2014 22 May - 2015 19 Apr, London, British Museum, 'Ancient Lives, New Discoveries'
2016-2017 10 Oct-30 Apr, Sydney, Powerhouse 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- 28 Jun, Montreal, Museum of Fine Arts, Ancient Lives EXTENDED DUE TO COVID19
2020-2021, 19 Sept - 21 Mar, Toronto, Royal Ontario Museum, Ancient Lives
- Condition
- good
- Associated events
- Associated Event: Weighing of the Heart
- Acquisition date
- 1889
- Department
- Egypt and Sudan
- BM/Big number
- EA22108
- Registration number
- 1889,0713.1
