Collection
/
Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

Animal Coffin

664–332 B.C.E.

1 of 4

Object Label

Some wooden animal mummy coffins have symbolic shapes. The cartouche shape signifies a protective enclosure and is also used in hieroglyphic writing to enclose and protect the king’s name. The obelisk shape relates both to the sun god and to an Egyptian word meaning “ibis,” one of the most common types of animal mummies.

CT scans of these two coffins have revealed poorly preserved remains inside that could not be identified.

Caption

Animal Coffin, 664–332 B.C.E.. Wood, linen, resin, gold leaf, animal remains or stones, 2 3/8 x 2 3/8 x 6 1/2 in. (6 x 6 x 16.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 37.1361E. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum (Gavin Ashworth, photographer))

Gallery

Not on view

Title

Animal Coffin

Date

664–332 B.C.E.

Period

Late Period

Medium

Wood, linen, resin, gold leaf, animal remains or stones

Classification

Funerary Object

Dimensions

2 3/8 x 2 3/8 x 6 1/2 in. (6 x 6 x 16.5 cm)

Credit Line

Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund

Accession Number

37.1361E

Frequent Art Questions

  • Could you please tell me a little more about this object? Is there any provenance? Do you know what kind of bones inside?

    Unfortunately the bones in this coffin could not be identified, they are too degraded. The Brooklyn Museum acquired this coffin and its contents from the New York Historical Society in 1937.
    Great! Thanks so much

Have information?

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bkmcollections@brooklynmuseum.org.