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Coffin set of Pakepu: E.2.1869

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Object information

Current Location: Gallery 19

Titles

Coffin set of Pakepu

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Description

Wooden coffin set belonging to a man named Pakepu comprising two anthropoid coffins complete with lids and boxes. The coffin set is attributed to Thebes and on stylistic grounds dates to the Late Period (probably the end of the 25th Dynasty). The smaller coffin of the two, known as the inner coffin, nests inside the larger, intermediate one. Both coffins were probably then housed inside a larger, outer 'qersu' coffin.

The coffins are painted and decorated in a colour palette of red, blue, green and two different shades of yellow and bear a range of inscriptions and iconography, many of which are appeals to the gods, especially Osiris, for the provision of food offerings and all good, sweet and delicious things.

The inner coffin interestingly bears a complex layered structure above the wooden carcass made from a combination of fibrous glue, linen and layers of calcite paste, reminiscent of the technique of cartonnage. This association is supported by the presence of a substantial plinth under Pakepu's feet, like those used to attach the footboard in cartonnage coffins.

For more extensive information on this coffin set, refer to the Fitzwilliam Egyptian Coffins online resource - www.egyptiancoffins.org/coffins/pakepu.

Find spot

Acquisition and important dates

Method of acquisition: Given (1869) by Edward (VII), Prince of Wales

Dating

Kushite-Late Period
25th Dynasty
26th Dynasty
Circa -0680 - Circa -0664

Components of the work

Outer Coffin Length 209 cm

References and bibliographic entries

Related exhibitions

Identification numbers

Accession number: E.2.1869
Primary reference Number: 49054
Oldadmincategory: SS
Stable URI

Audit data

Created: Saturday 6 August 2011 Updated: Wednesday 9 February 2022 Last processed: Friday 8 December 2023

Associated departments & institutions

Owner or interested party: The Fitzwilliam Museum
Associated department: Antiquities

Citation for print

This record can be cited in the Harvard Bibliographic style using the text below:

The Fitzwilliam Museum (2024) "Coffin set of Pakepu" Web page available at: https://collection.beta.fitz.ms/id/object/49054 Accessed: 2024-03-29 07:22:50

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{{cite web|url=https://collection.beta.fitz.ms/id/object/49054 |title=Coffin set of Pakepu |author=The Fitzwilliam Museum|accessdate=2024-03-29 07:22:50|publisher=The University of Cambridge}}

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