Coffin of Ikhet

Coffin of Ikhet


Period: Middle Kingdom

Dynasty: Dynasty 13

Date: ca. 1802–1640 B.C.

Geography: From Egypt, Upper Egypt; Thebes, el-Asasif, East of Pabasa and north of Padiamenemopet, MMA excavations, 1919–20

Medium: Sycomore wood

Dimensions: coffin box: l. 198 cm (77 15/16 in); w. 49.5 cm (19 1/2 in); h. 60 cm (23 5/8 in) lid: l. 177 cm (69 11/16 in); w. 44 cm (17 5/16 in); h. 17 cm (6 11/16 in)

Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1932

MET MUSEUM

metmusuem.org


 This coffin, which is inscribed for a man named Ikhet, and another inscribed for a woman named Netnefret (32.3.429a, b), are decorated in the same manner, perhaps even by the same painter. In each case, the eye panel at the head end of the left side is placed above a polychrome palace facade with a double door that is clearly bolted shut. This is a "false door" through which the spirit may leave and re-enter the coffin. These coffins are similar in style to two other black-painted coffins in gallery 109 (32.3.428a, b; 32.3.431a, b).