Coffin of Hor

The outer coffin of Hor belongs to the type known as “qeresu”, i.e., a rectangular box with small pillars, which made its appearance during the 25th Dynasty. It is a “cosmogram”, its vaulted lid representing the sky and the case the earthly realm of Osiris. Its iconography reflects this concept: a cordon of deities is frequently depicted around the case. They are the guardians of the deceased stationed at the eleven division between the twelve hours.

The complex iconography of the coffin served to perpetuate a number of episodes that were believed to be crucial for the deceased’s rebirth: his protection during the night watch, his entering the womb of Nut, his awakening to new life inside the shrine, his ascending into the sky, and his traveling with the sun god. The texts are primarily canonical offering formulas, beseeching the god to protect the deceased and supply him with provisions.

In one of the short ends is a depiction of two ba birds in adoration of the sign of the horizon, intended as the place where the sun rises in the East, while at the opposite and we see the hieroglyph neferet, which indicates the dwelling of Osiris or of the deceased, situated on the West.

Late Period, 25th Dynasty to 26th Dynasty, ca. 722–525 BC. Medium: wood, plaster, paint. Dimensions: lid 197 x 69 x 29 cm box 197 x 69 x 44 cm. Tombs of Khaemwaset (QV 44) and Setherkhepeshef (QV43), Valley of the Queens, Thebes. Now in the Egyptian Museum of Turin. S. 5228