Niagara Falls Museum Coffin NFM C1

Provenance: Unknown, probably Thebes
Date: Mid to late XXIst Dynasty, circa 990-960 bce.
Material: Wood, with gesso and paint, varnish
Dimensions: 72" long x 20" wide

This coffin is a good representative of the Twenty-first Dynasty male coffin. While there has been some damage to the lid, particularly in the area of the feet, the face is intact except for the nose. The false beard is present.

The lid corresponds to Niwinski's Type III. Many elements were modelled in gesso and then painted, to suggest inlay. The drawings are done with skill and are very attractive. The lid was varnished. No decoration is visible on the interior of the lid.

The outside of the coffin box is decorated with images of the deceased making offerings to the Underworld Deities, and scenes from mythology and the Books of the Dead. The barque of Re is shown on both sides of the coffin, once drawn by two gods, with Hathor and Isis in the boat.

The deceased appears both as a man in short, dark clothing, making an offering to the gods, and as a recipient in a long white kilt before an offering table.

The drawings are graceful, and the representations of male clothing are particularly interesting.

The floor of the coffin is not visible at present due to the presence of human remains, but seems to be damaged. White plaster repair is visible on the sides and bottom of the box. The name of the original inhabitant of the coffin has not yet been identified.

The interior is cherry red, with mummiform sons of Horus on the sides, and a well-drawn, face-forward Ba at the head.

The body associated with this coffin, NFM Mummy M3, appears to be a bearded male who lived in Roman times.

His well worn teeth suggest a man in middle years at death.

His left hand protrudes through the wrappings, which appear to be original and not subsequently disturbed.