Niagara Falls Museum Coffin NFM C9

Provenance: Unknown, almost certainly Thebes
Date: Late Dynasty XXV-XXVI, circa 770-525 bce.
Material: wood, gesso, paint
Dimensions: 65" long x 20" wide

The lid is stored beneath the display plinth of Iaw-tays-heret's outer coffin
(NFM C8), and the trough is stored inside.

The coffin lid names the original owner as Nespakashuty, who was Overseer
of the Singers of the God Min.

It is possible that the names of Nespakashuty's family members are also written on the coffin, though in its present position, this could not be ascertained.

The lid of this coffin was originally very attractive, with a confidently executed pattern of decoration in white, red, and green.

On the bottom of the foot, the black and white Apis bull carries the coffin of the deceased as his ba flies above. The scene is common, but the execution is beautifully simple.

While it came to Niagara Falls in reasonable condition, as verified by old photographs, the lid is now in serious need of conservation and repair, the planks on the sides having split off.

The remarkably handsome face is deep reddish brown, with a long, striped wig. The expression of the face is serious, serene, and gentle; dark lines in front of the ears suggest that a beard was once present. The false beard may be stored among the damaged sections of the coffin.

The central panels of the lid are difficult to view at present, but consist of bands of text, vertical down the centre, then running at a right angle from the centre to the edges, with images of genies. The text is clearly written in black on white, with cherry red and vibrant greenish-blue in stripes and decorative panels. On the front of the pedestal, the blessing of ankh symbols and was sceptres standing on a basket (to be read - "All life and power!") is gracefully and attractively positioned.

The bottom of the coffin, apparently undecorated on the interior but filled with ancient cloth, is presently stored inside the trough of NFM C8. All pieces seem to be present, though the sections of wood are held together chiefly by pressure from their container. No drawings or inscriptions are visible, though the decoration of the wig, and the pattern of green, red, and white stripes continues onto the outside. The bottom of the coffin is inaccessible.