Pectoral with Anubis, 19th Dynasty 1250BC (circa), Glazed composition, Findspot Egypt ,The British Museum
Pectoral with Anubis
Object Type
pectoral
Museum number
EA29370
Description
Glazed composition pectoral: this three coloured pectoral, an ornament worn on the chest, is made from yellow, purple, blue and white glazed composition, the purple on the upper face having been inlaid into the yellow. The shape imitates that of a pylon, the rectangular tower with slightly sloping walls which flanked the monumental gateway into an Egyptian temple. It even has the same cavetto cornice ornamentation along the top, a stylized representation of the curved reed heads which once surmounted walls made from vertical reeds daubed with mud. On all four sides of each face is a block decoration pattern. On the top surface a jackal reclining on a pylon shaped plinth is named as Anubis, god of embalming. In the writing of his name, the determinative shows this god's second manifestation: a (seated) man with a jackal's head. The underside depicts a 'djed' pillar, by this period believed to represent the stylized backbone with ribs of Osiris god of the dead, flanked by the Girdle of Isis or 'tit' amulet. Both were prescribed funerary amulets. Holes have been pierced through the cavetto cornice so the piece could be stitched to the bandages over a mummy's chest.
Cultures/periods
19th Dynasty
Production date
1250BC (circa)
Findspot
Found/Acquired: Egypt
Africa: Egypt
Materials
glazed composition
Dimensions
Height: 7.80 centimetres
Weight: 60 grammes
Thickness: 1.28 centimetres
Width: 8.05 centimetres
Inscriptions
Inscription type: inscription
Inscription script: hieroglyphic
Inscription note: Inlaid.
Inscription subject
funerary
Curator's comments
The funerary nature of its decoration is a further indication it was made purely to be taken to the tomb for the life after death. Pectorals worn by the living were made from metal, usually gold; for the dead, yellow glazed composition was an acceptable substitute.
Bibliography:
'Egyptian Treasures' [exhibition catalogue] (Shanghai, 1999), 138-139 No 40.
Bibliographic references
Andrews 2000 / Egyptian Treasures from the British Museum (p.114-115)
Location
Not on display
Exhibition history
2016-2017 10 Oct-30 Apr, Sydney, Powerhouse Museum, Ancient Lives
2017 16 Jun-18 Oct, Hong Kong Science Museum, Ancient Lives
2017-2018 14 Nov-20 Feb, Taiwan, National Palace Museum, Ancient Lives
2018 16 Mar-22 Jul, Brisbane, Queensland Museum of Art, Ancient Lives
2019-2020 14 Sept- 28 Jun, Montreal, Museum of Fine Arts, Ancient Lives EXTENDED DUE TO COVID19
2020-2021, 19 Sept - 21 Mar, Toronto, Royal Ontario Museum, Ancient Lives
2021-2022 9 Oct - 10 Jan, Tokyo, Museum of Science and Nature, Mummies of Ancient Egypt: rediscovering six lives (Egyptian Mummies 2)
2022 5 Feb- 8 May, Kobe City Museum, Mummies of Ancient Egypt: rediscovering six lives (Egyptian Mummies 2)
2022 14 Jul - 26 Oct, Madrid, CaixaForum, Mummies of Ancient Egypt: rediscovering six lives (Egyptian Mummies 2)
2022-2023 1 Dec – 19 Mar, Barcelona, CaixaForum, Mummies of Ancient Egypt: rediscovering six lives (Egyptian Mummies 2)
2023 25 Apr - 2 Sep, Seville, CaixaForum, Mummies of Ancient Egypt: rediscovering six lives (Egyptian Mummies 2)
2023-2024 6 Oct – 21 Jan, Valencia, CaixaForum, Mummies of Ancient Egypt: rediscovering six lives (Egyptian Mummies 2)
2024 27 Feb - 5 Jun, Zaragoza, CaixaForum, Mummies of Ancient Egypt: rediscovering six lives (Egyptian Mummies 2)
Condition
good
Associated names
Representation of: Anubís
Acquisition name
Purchased from: R J Moss & CO
Acquisition date
1897
Department
Egypt and Sudan
BM/Big number
EA29370
Registration number
1897,0511.86
Conservation
Treatment: 7 Jun 2016
Title:
Pectoral with Anubis, 19th Dynasty 1250BC (circa), Glazed composition, Findspot Egypt ,The British Museum
https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/Y_EA29370?selectedImageId=48847001
The British Museum