Mummified Cat
This mummified figure is a cat dating from the Ptolemaic period (332-30BCE). It
measures around 40cm long and is wrapped in linen.
Like many objects in our collection it has needed some conservation work before
it could go on public display. First it was x-rayed to ascertain exactly what
the figure contained. The surface was cleaned using a low powered vacuum
suction. A disposable pipette tip, wrapped in silk crepeline (a very fine
transparent silk fabric), was used to protect the fragile fibres from the hard
vacuum nozzle.
The damage on the cat's left side
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The weak and damaged area on the mummy's left side (when facing) was supported
with an appropriately dyed nylon net, carefully overlaid. Loose fragments on
the ears and other Loose threads were tacked down. All the necessary stitching
was carried out using threads drawn from polyester crepeline.
The back of the mummified cat
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Animals online exhibition |
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