Cat Coffin with Mummy, 664–332 B.C.E. Wood, pigment, animal remains (Felis sylvestris), linen, gilding, 23 5/8 x 5 1/4 x 6 5/16 in. (60 x 13.3 x 16 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 37.1947E. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum (Gavin Ashworth,er), 37.1947E_Gavin_Ashworth_photograph.jpg)
Cat Coffin with Mummy, 664–332 B.C.E. Wood, pigment, animal remains (Felis sylvestris), linen, gilding, 23 5/8 x 5 1/4 x 6 5/16 in. (60 x 13.3 x 16 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 37.1947E. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 37.1947E_SL4.jpg)
Cat Coffin with Mummy
Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art
This cat coffin has a gilded head and is painted with a collar around its neck, a necklace holding an Eye of Horus protective amulet, and the dot-and-line pattern, denoting fur, typically used at Istabl Antar cemetery.
DNA testing of the mummy in this coffin demonstrates a direct genetic connection between ancient Egyptian cats and modern housecats.
DNA testing of the mummy in this coffin demonstrates a direct genetic connection between ancient Egyptian cats and modern housecats.
MEDIUM
Wood, pigment, animal remains (Felis sylvestris), linen, gilding
GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATIONS
- Reportedly from: Saqqara, Egypt
- Possible place made: Istabl Antar, Egypt
DATES
664–332 B.C.E.
DYNASTY
Dynasty 26 to Dynasty 30
PERIOD
Late Period
DIMENSIONS
23 5/8 x 5 1/4 x 6 5/16 in. (60 x 13.3 x 16 cm) (show scale)
COLLECTIONS
Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art
ACCESSION NUMBER
37.1947E
CREDIT LINE
Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION
The object is a wooden coffin of a cat containing mummified cat bones and unknown debris wrapped in linen textile. The coffin depicts a cat sitting on its hind legs with its front paws extended. The two sides of the coffin join in the center forming a join that runs down the center of the cat’s face and body. The proper left side appears to be carved out of two pieces of wood while the proper right side is made of at least three pieces. The halves are no longer attached to each other and the coffin rests on one side. A white ground was applied over the wood ( thickly in places to account for the shape of the wood underneath) and this was painted with a geometric design on the body and front legs of the cat using red, Egyptian blue, and a light yellow pigment. Any design on the cat’s face is less clear though gold gilding is discernible on the top of the nose. The head and face are dark in color which could be pigment or dirt. The interior of the coffin holds a large linen textile wrapped oblong mummy that is very dark gray/black in color.
The mummy is incomplete. It is wrapped in multiple layers of rough woven textile.The contents of the mummy are visible in holes near the foot and the head of the mummy (located in the base and head of the coffin respectively). One long thin bone is visible within the foot hole. It appears to be femur or humerus bone. Within the hole near the coffin’s head, a wide flat bone resembling a scapula is visible. One vertebra lies on top of mummy near a small hole close to the tail end.
Condition: The coffin and its contents are in poor and unstable condition. The base of the coffin is missing as is the proper right front paw and part of the arm. The edge of the missing arm is flat suggesting the lower arm and paw were made of a separate piece of wood attached when the coffin was made. Other cracks on the surface appear to be saturated with a material that has darkened the surface.
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is not on view
CAPTION
Cat Coffin with Mummy, 664–332 B.C.E. Wood, pigment, animal remains (Felis sylvestris), linen, gilding, 23 5/8 x 5 1/4 x 6 5/16 in. (60 x 13.3 x 16 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 37.1947E. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum (Gavin Ashworth,er), 37.1947E_Gavin_Ashworth_photograph.jpg)
IMAGE
overall, 37.1947E_Gavin_Ashworth_photograph.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph (Gavin Ashworth, photographer), 2012
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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