Collections: Egyptian, Classical, and Ancient Middle Eastern Art: Canopic Jar with Lid of the Royal Scribe and Chief Lector Priest, Thenry

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Canopic Jar with Lid of the Royal Scribe and Chief Lector Priest, Thenry

During mummification, the stomach, liver, lungs, and intestines were usually removed from the body and preserved in separate container. Early Egyptologists naed these containers canopic jars after a Greek myth about a sailor named Canopus who died in Egypt and was later worshiped there in the form of a jar. Each jar represented the particular one of the four deities known as the Sons of Horus who was believed to protect the specific organ contained within: Daumutef for the stomach, Imseti for the liver, Hapi for the lungs, and Qebehsenuef for the intestines.

These fine canopic jars belonged to a man named Tjuli, a royal scribe and lector priest who was overseer of King Ramesses II's royal monuments. On each jar Tjuli is shown worshiping the deity represented by the jar.

• Medium: Alabaster
• Place Made: Saqqara, Egypt
• Dates: ca. 1279-1213 B.C.E.
• Dynasty: XIX Dynasty
• Period: New Kingdom
• Dimensions: 18 1/2 x Diam. 6 11/16 in. (47 x 17 cm)
• Collections: Egyptian, Classical, and Ancient Middle Eastern Art
• Museum Location: This item is on view in Egypt Reborn: Art for Eternity, Temples and Tombs, Martha A. and Robert S. Rubin Gallery, 3rd Floor
• Accession Number: 48.30.4a-b
• Credit Line: Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
• Image: Group, 48.30.1a-b_48.30.2a-b_48.30.3a-b_48.30.4a-b.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
Canopic Jar with Lid of the Royal Scribe and Chief Lector Priest, Thenry, ca. 1279-1213 B.C.E. Alabaster, 18 1/2 x Diam. 6 11/16 in. (47 x 17 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 48.30.4a-b (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 48.30.1a-b_48.30.2a-b_48.30.3a-b_48.30.4a-b.jpg)
• Catalogue Description: [One of] four alabaster Canopic jars of the Royal Scribe and Chief lector priest, Thenry [hieroglyphic inscription]. Jars of tall, slender form swelling out at the shoulders and then in to neck. Front of each jar decorated with incised panel running almost entire height of body. On upper part of each panel Thenry stands to right worshipping a standing representation of the same god as represented on cover. Inscriptions: one row above reliefs, one column between reliefs, and four columns below figures. Covers in form of heads of Sons of Horus. Each fitted with collar with interior of cover partially hollowed out. Remains of color. Condition: Excellent. Scattered natural defects in stone probably originally filled with plaster. Front base of cover of Duamutef chipped. Most of color lost