Model Canopic Jar

Solid limestone model of a Canopic jar with a human head, representing one of the Four Sons of Horus, Imsety, who protected the liver. There is a a crossed rectanglular pattern on front. Following the Twentieth Dynasty 20 some embalmers abandoned use of jars (known now as canopic jars) to store the internal organs removed from a dead body during the mummification ritual. Canopic jars were still an important element of a good burial so models of the jars were placed in the tomb. These solid stone models of jars are sometimes called dummy canopic jars. Wellcome Historical Medical Museum no. 609 (Rustafjaell collection). Purchased at Sotheby's, London, 19-21 December 1906. CONDITION NOTE 1998: Chipped, scratched and abraided, adhesive residue, label sellotaped to surface, label adhered, some discolouration, surface dirt. Label with serrated edge adhered to surface with printed number 609 which is how Robert de Rustafjaell collection items were labelled. Pencil number "99" on forehead