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Sarcophagus Lid for Pa-di-Inpu

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

Although anthropoid, or mummiform, coffins made of stone instead of wood first appeared during the New Kingdom (circa 1539–1070 B.C.E.), they did not become common until the Late Period (circa 664–332 B.C.E.). The change from wood to stone reflects a step toward permanent protection in the afterlife.

Pa-di-Inpu, the owner of this limestone sarcophagus lid, served as a scribe attached to the cult of Inpu (Anubis to the Greeks), lord of the city of Hardai, and was named for the god. He also served as a royal scribe and as a priest in a cult of the goddess Hathor.
MEDIUM Limestone
DATES ca. 305–30 B.C.E.
PERIOD Ptolemaic Period
DIMENSIONS 82 × 26 × 15 in., 1500 lb. (208.3 × 66 × 38.1 cm, 680.4kg)  (show scale)
INSCRIPTIONS Three vertical columns of inscription down the front give names and titles.
ACCESSION NUMBER 34.1222
CREDIT LINE Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
PROVENANCE Cemetery at el Tarmakiya, Hardai (Kynopolis), Egypt; archaeological excavation not yet documented; by 1930, acquired by André Bircher of Cairo, Egypt; 1934, purchased from F. Serveux-Sickenberger, agent of André Bircher estate, by Jean Capart for the Brooklyn Museum.
Provenance FAQ
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Limestone sarcophagus lid of man with wig and beard. Three vertical registers of hieroglyphs run down the lower front. The translation is “Royal scribe, accountant of all things, priest of Hathor of Hebenis (the XVIth Nome of Upper Egypt), scribe of Anubis of Hiffonon (XVIIIth Nome of Upper Egypt), Pedi-Anubis, son of the Royal scribe, Pedi-Anubis born of a priestess of Uazit of Hiffonon Thet.” Judging by the similarity of names and titles of the owners of this lid and 34.1221 were of the same family. Inscription: ss nsw.t hsb ht nb.t, hm-ntr n Ht-hr nb.t…., ss n Inpw nb Hr-dj; P;dj-inpw ; s; n ss nswt. P;-dj; ms n nb.t…..W;d.t, nb.t Hr-dj, Thn.t Condition: The piece is entire and in good condition although there are numerous scratches and nicks on the surface.
MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view
CAPTION Sarcophagus Lid for Pa-di-Inpu, ca. 305–30 B.C.E. Limestone, 82 × 26 × 15 in., 1500 lb. (208.3 × 66 × 38.1 cm, 680.4kg). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 34.1222. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , 34.1222_PS9.jpg)
IMAGE overall, 34.1222_PS9.jpg., 2018
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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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