Mummy Board used by Itamun, inscribed for Nesiamun
The coffin set of the General's Charioteer, Itamun (an outer coffin (26.3.1a, b), an inner coffin (26.3.3), and this mummy board) was found in a reused tomb in a valley south of Deir el-Bahari. Itamun's outer coffin was not completely closed, as the inner coffin, made originally for a priest and copper engraver of the temple named Nesiamun, was slightly too large.
The layout and decoration of the mummy board is similar to that of the inner and outer coffins, with the deceased in a tripartite wig with floral fillet, elegant features and large ears, and hands fisted over the chest. A winged figure of Nut again divides the upper and lower parts of the lid. In this case, the space above contains a djed pillar flanked by "Abydos fetishes" (like the djed pillar symbols of the god Osiris); the lower part is divided by bands of inscription into 10 symmetrical sections containing images of various deities. Like the inner coffin, this mummy board was inscribed for the priest and copper engraver of the temple, Nesiamun.
The layout and decoration of the mummy board is similar to that of the inner and outer coffins, with the deceased in a tripartite wig with floral fillet, elegant features and large ears, and hands fisted over the chest. A winged figure of Nut again divides the upper and lower parts of the lid. In this case, the space above contains a djed pillar flanked by "Abydos fetishes" (like the djed pillar symbols of the god Osiris); the lower part is divided by bands of inscription into 10 symmetrical sections containing images of various deities. Like the inner coffin, this mummy board was inscribed for the priest and copper engraver of the temple, Nesiamun.
Artwork Details
- Title: Mummy Board used by Itamun, inscribed for Nesiamun
- Period: Third Intermediate Period
- Dynasty: early Dynasty 21
- Date: ca. 1000–950 B.C.
- Geography: From Egypt, Upper Egypt, Thebes, Unfinished Temple ("Seankhkare") Valley, Pit Tomb MMA 1008/1016 (Mond 8), MMA excavations, 1920–21
- Medium: Wood, paste, paint
- Dimensions: L. 167 cm (65 3/4 in)
- Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1926
- Object Number: 26.3.3
- Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art
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ca. 1000–950 B.C.
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ca. 1000–945 B.C.
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