Niagara Falls Museum Coffin NFM C3

Provenance: Unknown, probably Thebes
Date: Mid to late XXI Dynasty, circa 990-960 bce.
Material: Wood, with gesso and paint, varnish
Dimensions: 75" long x 20" wide

This male XXIst Dynasty Coffin requires considerable conservation and restoration, but the remaining decoration is of a quality and interest to make such attention worthwhile

The lid is in poor condition, missing beard, hands and foot. Paint is preserved only in patches on the face and wig, though the striations of the wig are done in an unusual bright turquoise blue.

Only traces remain of the once-rich decoration on the surface of the lid. No image can presently be seen on the underside.

The odd turquoise blue is the dominant colour.

The frieze at the top of the coffin is not the common cobra and feather motif, but a band of prayers.

The Hathor cow emerging from the Western Mountain was drawn with a strong sense of movement. The artist's style is worth some study.

The yellow-ground interior was decorated by a different hand, and a truly superior craftsman with a classic sense of design.

A confident and powerful ba guards the head.

Fine drawings of the Mut vulture, of elegant cobras, and of genies are vivid and animated.

The body in this coffin NFM Mummy M2, appears to be a male of uncertain age and date.

The uncovered face is blackened, and poorly preserved. The state of the teeth suggests a mature adult. The left hand protrudes from the bandages which appear to be original, but are seriously disarranged.

The bottom of the coffin is inaccessible due to the presence of human remains.