Collection
/
Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

Kitten Coffin

850–540 B.C.E.

1 of 5

Object Label

This coffin, dated by carbon 14 testing of the linen wrappings found within it, is among the oldest of the animal mummies on view in this exhibition. The figurines of kittens, together with the animal mummies inside the coffin, form a bridge between votive figurines and votive animal mummies. Both kinds of objects were intended for the same purpose, to send a request to a god. But votive animal mummies were an innovation at the time this object was made.

Caption

Kitten Coffin, 850–540 B.C.E.. Bronze, animal remains, linen, 3 1/8 x 2 3/8 x 6 1/4 in. (8 x 6 x 15.8 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 37.369Ea-b. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum (Gavin Ashworth, photographer))

Gallery

Not on view

Title

Kitten Coffin

Date

850–540 B.C.E.

Period

Third Intermediate Period to Late Period

Geography

Reportedly from: Saqqara, Egypt

Medium

Bronze, animal remains, linen

Dimensions

3 1/8 x 2 3/8 x 6 1/4 in. (8 x 6 x 15.8 cm)

Credit Line

Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund

Accession Number

37.369Ea-b

Frequent Art Questions

  • Can you give us a simple explanation of carbon dating?

    Carbon dating, or C14 dating, analyzes a particular isotope of carbon which decays at a very predictable rate. By measuring how much has decayed in contrast to how much is still left, scientists can estimate how long ago something (or someone) died.
    Carbon dating can only be conducted on organic material (plants, animals, people).
    In terms of dating the animal mummies, which material is used?
    The animal mummies in this exhibition that have been dated: scientists analyzed the remains of the animal itself and the linen that the mummies are wrapped in.
    Linen is made from plant material so the same analysis can be performed.
    Thanks so much.
    You're welcome!

Have information?

Have information about an artwork? Contact us at

bkmcollections@brooklynmuseum.org.