Miniature Mask for a Canopic Bundle
- WORDSWORTH WORDSMITHY
- Apr 18, 2024
- 2 min read
This beautiful š¤šš piece, called a āMiniature Mask for a Canopic Bundleā has a lot of contradictory information about it ā the MET website and books both have different information about it! The MET website dates this piece to the reign of Amenhotep II šš ššµššŖ (18th Dynasty) and this piece is in Gallery 119, which is not where it should be based on the books!Ā
The books I have talk about how this piece was found in the Embalming Cache of Tutankhamun šš ššš ±šš¹š¾šŗš. An embalming cache is a collection of the supplies and materials that were used during the mummification š“š§šš ±š process. The embalming cache was usually kept separate from the actual tomb šš«šš itself, though sometimes these supplies were found in the tomb šš«šš of the person.Ā
But what exactly is a āMiniature Mask for a Canopic Bundleā and what is its purpose? Sometimes, small mummy masks were placed on mummified internal organs šš§šš¹š¦ and then placed in larger jars. However, all of Tutankhamunās šš ššš ±šš¹š¾šŗš organs šš§šš¹š¦ were placed in mini canopic coffins in his tomb šš«šš, so the purpose of this lone miniature mask is quite confusing ā what was it doing in his Embalming Cache?
This mini mask (itās just over 5 inches in height) is made of cartonnage (a material composed of linen and plaster ā like an ancient Egyptian paper mache) and the paint šØšš ±ššøš¦ colors on it are still strikingly bright! I love the details of the red š§ššš , blue šš¹ššæšøš„, and blue-green š šš broad collar š ±š“ššŗš and the nemes šš š“ head cloth! The lotus flowers šøšøšø and the vulture, who represents the goddess š¹š Nekhbet šššš š(protector of Upper Egypt and its rulers) are also beautiful š¤šš touches!
This is my personal photograph and original text. DO NOT repost.Ā
