Egyptian Stone Canopic Jar Lids (group of 3)

**Originally Listed At $2000**

Ancient Egypt, New Kingdom, 18th Dynasty, ca. 1479 to 1401 BCE. Wow! A trio of fascinating limestone lids from canopic jars, all displayed together on a custom stand. Each lid is rounded, and bears the head of one of the Sons of Horus. At the top is Imsety (human form); along the bottom, from left to right is Duamutef (jackal form) and Hapi (baboon form). At one time there would have been a fourth, Qebehsenuef (hawk form). Horus's sons were the ones charged with protecting the internal organs, as they had originally been charged with protecting the body of Osiris; as a result, their heads often form the lids of canopic jars. At one time, they would have been brightly painted. Some of the paint remains, notably on Hapi's eyes. Size of Imsety (they are all approximately the same size): 4.2" W x 2.6" H (10.7 cm x 6.6 cm); 7.2" H (18.3 cm) on included custom stand.

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.

Provenance: private J.H. collection, Beaverton, Oregon, USA, acquired between 2005 and 2008; ex-Relics of the Nile, Lexington, Kentucky, USA; ex-Royal-Athena Gallery, New York, USA

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#151236
Condition Report: All have some small chips, nicks, and scratches commensurate with age, including the losses of the tips of the noses of Duamutef and Hapi. The limestone is weathered with some pitting and light deposits. However, the faces are nicely preserved and their identities clear. There are small areas of original paint remaining, notably on Hapi’s eyes.