2003.100.40: Lid for a canopic jar in the shape of a human head
Sculpture
This object does not yet have a description.
Identification and Creation
- Object Number
- 2003.100.40
- Title
- Lid for a canopic jar in the shape of a human head
- Classification
- Sculpture
- Work Type
- sculpture, head
- Date
- c. 320 BCE - 200 CE
- Places
- Creation Place: Ancient & Byzantine World, Africa, Egypt (Ancient)
- Period
- Ptolemaic period to Roman Imperial
- Culture
- Egyptian
- Persistent Link
- https://hvrd.art/o/92353
Physical Descriptions
- Medium
- Limestone
- Technique
- Carved
- Dimensions
-
8.5 x 11.5 cm (3 3/8 x 4 1/2 in.)
8 cm (3 1/8 in.)
Provenance
- Recorded Ownership History
- Ex collection Professor Mason Hammond, Pope Professor of Latin Language and Literature, Departments of the Classics and of History, Harvard University
Acquisition and Rights
- Credit Line
- Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Gift of the daughters of Florence and Mason Hammond
- Accession Year
- 2003
- Object Number
- 2003.100.40
- Division
- Asian and Mediterranean Art
- Contact
- am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
- Permissions
-
The Harvard Art Museums encourage the use of images found on this website for personal, noncommercial use, including educational and scholarly purposes. To request a higher resolution file of this image, please submit an online request.
Descriptions
- Description
- Ptolemaic or later. Surface of head is dirty grey. Raised circular projection on bottom with concave interior intended to fit into the mouth of the Canopic jar itself. Clean shaven human head, broad nose and slightly smiling lips. The head wears a featureless wig that covers the ears. There are abundant traces of incisions from carving tools.
- Commentary
- Many Egyptian burials included canopic jars, which held the mummified organs of the deceased person. The jars were made in sets of four, to contain four specific parts of the body: the stomach, intestines, liver, and lungs. The lids of these jars were often made in the shapes of the heads of four gods known as the Four Sons of Horus, each of whom protected one of the organs. The human-headed god Imsety protects the liver; the jackal-headed god Duamutef protects the stomach; the baboon-headed god Hapy protects the lungs; and the falcon-headed god Qebehsenuef protects the intestines.
Related Objects
Verification Level
This record was created from historic documentation and may not have been reviewed by a curator; it may be inaccurate or incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of Asian and Mediterranean Art at am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu