Canopic Jar with Lid in the Form of a Human Head, ca.1539–1353 B.C.E. Limestone, clay, pigment, Other (A): 10 1/4 x 4 5/16 in. (26.1 x 11 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 37.1733Ea-b. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.37.1733Ea-b_erg456.jpg)
Canopic Jar with Lid in the Form of a Human Head, ca.1539–1353 B.C.E. Limestone, clay, pigment, Other (A): 10 1/4 x 4 5/16 in. (26.1 x 11 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 37.1733Ea-b. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , 37.1380Ea-b_37.1733Ea-b_GrpA_SL4.jpg)
Canopic Jar with Lid in the Form of a Human Head
Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art
On View: Egyptian Orientation Gallery, 3rd Floor
Canopic Jars
The practice of mummifying human remains led to the development of a new kind of jar.
During the mummification process, the liver, stomach, intestines, and lungs had to be removed to allow the corpse’s interior to dry. In the Fourth Dynasty, the Egyptians began storing these vital organs in four separate vessels, called canopic jars, and burying them with the mummy. Eighteenth Dynasty craftsmen started making canopic jar lids representing the four “Sons of Horus”—deities specifically charged with defending the organs. The human-headed god Imsety protected the liver.
The practice of mummifying human remains led to the development of a new kind of jar.
During the mummification process, the liver, stomach, intestines, and lungs had to be removed to allow the corpse’s interior to dry. In the Fourth Dynasty, the Egyptians began storing these vital organs in four separate vessels, called canopic jars, and burying them with the mummy. Eighteenth Dynasty craftsmen started making canopic jar lids representing the four “Sons of Horus”—deities specifically charged with defending the organs. The human-headed god Imsety protected the liver.
MEDIUM
Limestone, clay, pigment
DATES
ca.1539–1353 B.C.E.
DYNASTY
Dynasty 18
PERIOD
New Kingdom
DIMENSIONS
Other (A): 10 1/4 x 4 5/16 in. (26.1 x 11 cm)
Other (B): 5 7/16 x 3 1/8 in. (13.8 x 8 cm) (show scale)
COLLECTIONS
Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art
ACCESSION NUMBER
37.1733Ea-b
CREDIT LINE
Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
EXHIBITIONS
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is on view in Egyptian Orientation Gallery, 3rd Floor
CAPTION
Canopic Jar with Lid in the Form of a Human Head, ca.1539–1353 B.C.E. Limestone, clay, pigment, Other (A): 10 1/4 x 4 5/16 in. (26.1 x 11 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 37.1733Ea-b. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.37.1733Ea-b_erg456.jpg)
IMAGE
overall, CUR.37.1733Ea-b_erg456.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 9/6/2007
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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