Cat Mummy in Cartonnage
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Object Label
This large cat mummy was buried much like a human in a cartonnage (a painted plaster coffin). The inscription calls the cat “the Osiris Pa-miu,” using the same title a human would receive as it merges with the god after its death. The mummy itself is wrapped in an elaborate diamond-shaped pattern, as can be seen in the CT scan.
This cat’s unusual size suggests it is either a wild desert cat (Felis chaus) or perhaps a mix of wild cat and domestic breeds.
Caption
Cat Mummy in Cartonnage, ca. 760–390 B.C.E.. Cartonnage, animal remains (Felis sylvestris, Felis libyca, or Felis chaus), linen, pigment, 9 1/2 x 6 x 35 in. (24.1 x 15.2 x 88.9 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 37.1991Ea-c. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum (Gavin Ashworth, photographer), 37.1991Ea_37.1991Eb-c_Gavin_Ashworth_photograph.jpg)
Gallery
Not on view
Gallery
Not on view
Title
Cat Mummy in Cartonnage
Date
ca. 760–390 B.C.E.
Dynasty
Dynasty 25 to Dynasty 28
Period
Third Intermediate Period to Late Period
Geography
Place made: Egypt
Medium
Cartonnage, animal remains (Felis sylvestris, Felis libyca, or Felis chaus), linen, pigment
Classification
Dimensions
9 1/2 x 6 x 35 in. (24.1 x 15.2 x 88.9 cm)
Credit Line
Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
Accession Number
37.1991Ea-c
Rights
Creative Commons-BY
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Frequent Art Questions
Were the cats dead prior to mummification or sacrificed for entrance into the afterlife?
The simple answer is, it depends. Many cats and other animals were sacrificed in order to send their souls to the afterlife. This likely represents a larger proportion of cat mummies.There is also evidence that pet cats were mummified after having died of natural causes.Thanks!In the animal mummies exhibition, some, but not all, the mummies appear to be wrapped in gauze or tulle. Is that correct?
You are correct, there is fine mesh around the mummies, you have good eyes!This is a conservation decision, it is necessary to help hold some of the mummies together and protect them!Thank you! What's it made out of? When was it added?It would have been added in the last few years in preparation for this exhibition which has already been traveling the country since 2014. I'm not sure what it's made from.The goal was for the mesh to be as unnoticeable and low profile as possible while still doing its job. You're the only one who has noticed!Hahaha! Thank you! I am just really interested in the practicalities of it. I work in fabric which is why my eyes were attuned.It's almost like another "mummification"!Conservation is pretty interesting! and it is another wrapping, for very different reasons, which I agree, adds more layers figuratively and literally!Exactly!
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