15. Outer Case

Museum inventory number: 8523 Length: 218cm; Width (max): 71cm; Depth: 43cm Wood, plaster, paint and varnish. Decorated with multicoloured paintwork. The object shows several cracks along the whole surface. The exterior decoration of the side walls is badly damaged, especially on the headboard and the upper section. Several cracks can be detected on the whole interior surface, but the interior decoration is preserved in good condition.

Iconography (Exterior)

The upper edge is decorated with a frieze of alternating cobras (multicoloured) and feathers (green). Below, a band of hieroglyphic inscriptions (Inscriptions 1–2) runs from the headboard to the footboard. This inscription is bordered by block-friezes. The vignettes are bounded by a thick monochromatic band (above), a thin line (below) and columns of texts (Inscriptions 3–17). Along the lower edge runs a block frieze and a thick monochromatic band.

Headboard The headboard is composed of a tripartite panel, with the sides (Vignettes 2–3) centripetally oriented. The Vignette 1 (centre) shows a symmetrical composition with a large tjet- sign (outlined in red and blue) flanked by the poles of the West (centripetally oriented). The Vignette 2 (left side) is badly damaged, but a ritual lustration scene can be detected showing the deceased pouring water over a god (Fig. 155). The title ‘Osiris, lord of the burial’ is written at the back of the god. A couched jackal rests between the two figures. The Vignette 3 (right side) depicts an unusual scene (Fig. 159). The deceased wears tight garments (shirt and kilt) and turns backwards while moving away from the Ta-wer totem. The deceased holds up a vessel before an offering stand. The Ta-wer-totem is crowned with a double-feathered solar headdress and it is adorned with the menat-counterpoise. The totem is flanked by the imi-wt and the pole of the West. Above, figure the udjat-eye, the nefer-sign and short labels, such as ‘Anubis, foremost of the West’ and ‘Giving praises to Osiris lord of the burial’.

Left Side The left side is decorated with two vignettes (Vignettes 4–5).

TheVignette4 shows a symmetrical composition on the upper section (Fig. 155). The nuclear block features the Ta-wer-totem crowned with the double-feathered solar headdress and adorned with the menat-counterpoise. The totem is flanked by centrifugal blocks depicting a god crowned with the sun disk with a pending cobra wearing the hedjet-crown. The god has curled beard and wears a tight garment (shirt and kilt) with the usekh-collar. He grasps the nekhakha- scepter in one hand and a tall heqa-scepter with the other. The imi-wt-totem stands at his feet. The composition is completed with centripetal blocks featuring the deceased wearing tight garments, short beard and the usekh-collar. His head is adorned with an unguent cone and a lotus bud. He raises his arms in adoration towards the solar god. Short labels refer to ‘Giving life to Osiris, lord of the burial’ (next to the totem), ‘the great god, lord of the Duat’ (next to the god) and ‘Giving praises’ (next to the deceased).

The Vignette 5 is displayed along the lower section featuring several scenes. In the first scene the god ‘Osiris, lord of the burial’ is depicted facing the headboard, wearing braces (red) and a long garment (black) typically used in the Heb Sed (cf. footboard of the outer lid). He has a curled beard, wears the atef-crown and grasps a long heqa-scepter (Fig. 156). At his feet figures the imi- wt-totem and the pole of the West surmounted by the sacred falcon. The sacred animal wears the hedjet-crown and it is adorned with the menat-counterpoise. The formula ‘Giving life and strength’ is written at the back of the god. The second scene depicts an offering ritual (Fig. 156). The deceased holds up a vessel before the green-skinned god. The deity wears a tight garment (kilt and shirt) and his head is adorned with a red scarf. An offering table stands at his feet. Short labels refer to ‘Giving praises to Osiris, the lord’, ‘great god, lord of the burial, the ruler of the Duat, so that Re may grant the going forth [---]’. The third scene depicts the deceased performing a libation before Osiris and Isis (Fig. 156). The deceased pours water over a pile of offerings. The mummi- form Osiris wears braces (red) and the hedjet-crown. Isis wears the modium with her monogram and holds a menat-counterpoise. An offering mat figures at her feet. Short labels refer to ‘Giving libations’, ‘Osiris, lord of the eternity, fore- mostof theWest’,‘IamIsis,motherof thegod,mistressof theHouseof Embalming. That she may give (offerings)’. The fourth scene shows the deceased performing a lustration ritual towards a falcon-headed god (Fig. 157). The deceased holds up a vessel with outflowing liquid. The green-skinned god grasps the ankh-sign. An offering table stands at