Extremely Large Ancient EgyptianWoodenPainted Cartonnage Panel - 325mm x 685mm approx

C. 332-30 BC – Ptolemaic Period An excellent example of a wooden painted cartonnage panel in three sections. The top scene depicts the jackal-headed god Anubis, deity of embalming, as well as a god of the dead, preparing the mummy of Nes-Her, lying upon a bier which is lion-headed with animal legs. These beds or tables were used during the mummification process and under the bier are six vases, which may represent the canopic jars, made to contain the organs that were removed from the body in the process of mummification: lungs, liver, intestines and stomach. Two more are represented than usual, in the wake of the new discoveries made this year in Egypt, we know that sometimes more than 4 vases were used The next scene below depicts a ceremonial boat with four seated deities, all with a feather of Maat on their knee. The bottom half of the cartonnage depicts eight different columns of various patterns and vibrant colours, consisting of blue, red lotus flowers, blue, white and red radiating bars, blue and red triangles with black painted dots between etc. The sides of the panel are also decorated with red, white and blue blocks. It is a very large piece with some slight damage otherwise vibrant colours and excellent detail. Size: 325mm x 685mm approx Provenance; The seller of this lot hereby guarantees that this object was obtained legally. Purchased by the current owner in the UK in 2020 from the Ex West London Gentleman Collection, Purchased from a Dutch collection in 2000. Related documents seen by Catawiki. Important information. The seller guarantees that he is entitled to ship this lot. The seller will take care that any necessary permits will be arranged. The seller will inform the buyer about this if this takes more than a few days.