Canopic Coffinette
GEM Number
Collection
Period
Dynasty
Description
Four miniature coffins elaborately crafted of solid gold with tiny inlays of red carnelian and coloured glass held Tutankhamun’s mummified viscera (lungs, liver, stomach and intestines). Each was wrapped in linen and placed upright inside one of four cylindrical hollows of a canopic chest. Each coffinette showed a king with his upper body embraced by the wings of the two protective goddesses of Upper and Lower Egypt. The coffinettes were associated with four guarding genii (Four Sons of Horus) who in turn were protected by four protective goddesses (Isis, Nephthys, Selket and Neith). A spell voiced by the scorpion goddess Selket, who protected the intestines, is carved down the front of this coffinette.