Mummified Child in Gilded Cartonnage

Mummified Child in Gilded Cartonnage
Mummified Child in Gilded Cartonnage

GEM Number

5782

Collection

Main Galleries

Period

Graeco-Roman

Description

Mummified child in a gilded cartonnage placed inside a wooden coffin. Cartonnage refers to the moulded layers of plastered fabric used by ancient Egyptians for different funerary purposes. During the Roman Period, it was primarily used for creating masks and decorative pieces placed on the deceased. Here, it was possible to cover the entire body with cartonnage given the small size of this young girl. The beautiful artistry and the amount of gold used speak to the wealth of her family and possibly how much they missed her.

Region
Upper Egypt
Area
Beni Suef
Cartonnage - Gold

Height

33 cm

Width

42 cm

Length

125 cm