An Egyptian Alabaster Canopic Lid for Imsety, Late Period, ca. 664 - 332 BCE Fine Art carefully modeled in low relief

carefully modeled in low relief and cast by the lost-wax (cire perdue) process

It is based on a stylized cowrie which had amuletic significance because of its resemblance to the female genitalia

2019 defining tradition | black + white

Provenance: Tom Carson private collection

An Egyptian Alabaster Canopic Lid for Imsety, Late Period, ca. 664 - 332 BCE Fine Art carefully modeled in low reliefCentral to the religious beliefs of the ancient Egyptians was the desire to preserve the body for all eternity. To this end, during the process of mummification, the major internal organs of the body, including the lungs, liver, stomach, and intestines were removed and embalmed separately and stored in canopic jars. Each canopic lid was given the heads of the four sons of Horus who protected the internal organs. Imsety, depicted here wearing a