Egyptian Late Dynastic Stone Canopic Jar w/ Jackal Lid

Egypt, Late Dynastic Period, 26th to 31st Dynasty, ca. 664 to 332 BCE. An attractive canopic jar of a cylindrical, flat-bottomed form, hand-carved from light-brown hardstone. The vessel body has a lightly swelled shoulder, a deep interior cavity, and smooth exterior surfaces adorned with a layer of orange-brown pigment. The lid is sculpted to resemble the head of a jackal with slit-form eyes, high cheeks, a tapered conical snout, and a pair of projecting ears, all framed with a simple wig. The bottom of the lid bears a squat tenon to secure it atop the body as well as to seal the mummy's internal organs stored within. Size (w/ lid): 5.4" W x 11.6" H (13.7 cm x 29.5 cm).

Canopic jars are some of the most iconic artifacts from Egypt, made to hold internal organs removed during the mummification process. This tradition lasted for an incredibly long time - the first evidence for a canopic chest containing organs comes from the Fourth Dynasty (ca. 2600 BCE) and they were used into the late 1st millennium BCE. The 18th Dynasty marked a shift in canopic jar tradition, when these jars were given to all people of status, and when their heads were fashioned to look like the four Sons of Horus, including Duamutef. The Four Sons were charged with protecting the internal organs, as they had originally been charged with protecting the body of Osiris. The jackal-headed son who represented the east, Duamutef, was charged with protecting the stomach of the deceased and was protected by the goddess Neith, the creator and governor of the universe.

A stylistically similar example, of a slightly smaller size and carved from banded alabaster, hammered for $6,462 at Christie's, New York "Antiquities" auction (sale 9540, December 7, 2000, lot 385).

Provenance: private J.H. collection, Beaverton, Oregon, USA

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#149674
Condition Report: Large area of repair to vessel body, and area of repair to lower rim of lid, with resurfacing and light adhesive residue along break lines. Losses to areas of snout and ears on lid, with abrasions and nicks to body and lid, fading to original pigmentation, and softening to some finer details. Nice earthen deposits throughout. Old inventory numbers written in red ink as well as old inventory sticker underneath lid tenon.