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Mummy Shroud

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

MEDIUM Linen, gesso, pigment
  • Reportedly From: Saqqara, Egypt
  • DATES 332–30 B.C.E.
    PERIOD Ptolemaic Period
    DIMENSIONS 40 3/8 x 35 15/16 in. (102.6 x 91.3 cm) mounted: 43 1/4 × 38 1/2 × 1 1/4 in. (109.9 × 97.8 × 3.2 cm)  (show scale)
    ACCESSION NUMBER 37.1811E
    CREDIT LINE Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
    CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION One fragment of a painted mummy shroud in linen, covered with gesso and painted with polychromy. A large scale figure of the god Osiris is seen from the waist down. This portion is flanked by, on the left, the goddess Isis, in front of whom, stands the deceased. On the left a figure of Nephthys flanks, again proceeded by a figure of the deceased. Both goddesses and figures stand atop a shrine like structure. The goddesses wear vulture headdresses and costumes while the deceased wears typical Graeco-Egyptian dress. Both deceased and goddesses have their hands praised in adoration. A central panel of scenes runs down the front of the figure of Osiris. It is composed of representations of magical amulets and scenes from the book of the dead. Next to the head of each goddess runs a panel of hieroglyphs. Condition: Only one-half of the shroud is extant, the lower portion. The loss is greater on the left hand side – extending to mid-thigh on the Osiris figure. The right hand section is preserved up to the waist. A great deal of paint is preserved much is rubbed in the general area of the Osiris figure and the central panel. The blue mummy bead network represented is in some places lost. The goddess Nephthys has been effected to some extent by a dark staining over the upper right hand side. Most all colors are still bright especially the blues and reds. The blacks are still deep and very little outline has been lost. Some is missing from the garment of the figure of the deceased on the left. All figures are superficially dirty and rubbed.
    MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view
    CAPTION Mummy Shroud, 332–30 B.C.E. Linen, gesso, pigment , 40 3/8 x 35 15/16 in. (102.6 x 91.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 37.1811E. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 37.1811E_PS9.jpg)
    IMAGE overall, 37.1811E_PS9.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2015
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    RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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