Obelisk-Shaped Coffin
664–332 B.C.E.
1 of 5
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.
CT scans of these two coffins have revealed poorly preserved remains inside that could not be identified.
Caption
Obelisk-Shaped Coffin, 664–332 B.C.E.. Wood, animal remains, linen, 2 1/2 × 2 1/2 × 9 1/2 in. (6.4 × 6.4 × 24.1 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 37.1360Ea-c. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum (Gavin Ashworth, photographer))
Gallery
Not on view
Gallery
Not on view
Title
Obelisk-Shaped Coffin
Date
664–332 B.C.E.
Period
Late Period (probably)
Medium
Wood, animal remains, linen
Classification
Dimensions
2 1/2 × 2 1/2 × 9 1/2 in. (6.4 × 6.4 × 24.1 cm)
Credit Line
Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
Accession Number
37.1360Ea-c
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