Egyptian Cedar / Painted Gesso Coffin for Iret Horru

Egypt, Late Dynastic Period, 26th Dynasty, Saite Period, ca. 664 to 525 BCE. A stunning inner coffin, carved from finely grained cedar, with an anthropoid lid secured to the mortises of the lower body via several tab-form tenons. A thin layer of white gesso creates the ground for matte black pigment - typically reserved for high-class individuals - as well as a column of yellow hieroglyphic inscription.

The characteristically oversized face features a russet-red base color as well as elongated eyes outlined in black, a bulbous nose, thin lips with a delineated philtrum, tall ears, and a black chin strap above a false beard with a rounded lower tip, all beneath a puffy tripartite wig. The hieroglyphic inscription on the front identifies this coffin for Iret-Horru (also Iret-Horrou, Irethorrou), a wealthy priest of Min from the economically thriving city of Akhmim and a prophet of the funerary deity Osiris-Sokar.

Repairs to underside of feet, with chipping and light adhesive residue along break lines. Losses to areas of lower corners of back half of coffin as shown. Chipping to original gesso, with darkening and some areas of fading to original pigmentation commensurate with age and tomb conditions. Great traces of original pigment, and hieroglyphic inscription is still visible.