Egypt Museum

Coffin of Iineferty

Iineferty was the wife of Sennedjem, an artisan who lived in the worker’s village of Deir el-Medina, and who worked during the reigns of both king Seti I and his son king Ramesses II. Sennedjem is most famous today for his beautifully decorated tomb, where he and his family were interred, which is now known as Tomb TT1, also located in Deir el-Medina. Sennedjem held the title of “Servant in the Place of Truth (sḏm-ꜥš m st mꜣꜥt)“, a title that is used to refer to someone who worked in the Theban Necropolis.

Iinerferty lived to a minimum age of 75 years. She held the title, “Mistress of the House”, a feminine title bestowed upon the women of the domesticated family household.

Within Sennedjem’s tomb (TT1), Iinferty is depicted alongside her husband through their shared journey toward and within the afterlife. The pair can see be seen in adoration of the gods, travelling through varied scenes of their supernatural journey, and even ploughing together within the Field of Reeds (also known as Aaru, or the heavenly realm).

Iineferty and Sennedjem are seen in fine linens harvesting wheat in the Field of Reeds (heavenly realm). Tomb of Sennedjem, (TT1).
Iineferty and Sennedjem are seen in fine linens harvesting wheat in the Field of Reeds (heavenly realm). Tomb of Sennedjem, (TT1).
Photograph by manna4u

Aaru (/ɑːˈruː/; Ancient Egyptian: jꜣrw, lit. ’reeds’), or the “Field of Reeds” (sḫt-jꜣrw, sekhet-aaru), is the name for heavenly paradise in Egyptian mythology. Ruled over by Osiris, an Egyptian god, the location has been described as the Ka of the Nile Delta.

Sennedjem and Iineferty, travel through Aaru, the Ancient Egyptian heavenly realm. In this scene from their tomb, you can see the pair at work in their finest of linen's, ploughing and reaping the harvest of the heavens. Water surrounds them, as beautiful trees and vegetation grow from the heavenly soil. The concept of heaven as the Egyptians saw it, was really not so different to Egypt itself in the land of the living.
Sennedjem and Iineferty, travel through Aaru, the Ancient Egyptian heavenly realm. In this scene from their tomb, you can see the pair at work in their finest of linen’s, ploughing and reaping the harvest of the heavens. Water surrounds them, as beautiful trees and vegetation grow from the heavenly soil. The concept of heaven as the Egyptians saw it, was really not so different to Egypt itself in the land of the living.
Tomb of Sennedjem (TT1), fascismile by Charles K. Wilkinson, 1922. Tomb of Sennedjem (TT1), c. 1295–1213 B.C.

It is within the tomb of Sennedjem (TT1), where Iineferty’s beautiful anthropoid coffin was discovered during the Egyptian Antiquities Service/Maspero excavations of 1885–86.

The varnished wooden anthropoid coffin of Iineferty, alongside the mummy board placed over Iineferty's mummified body within the coffin.
The varnished wooden anthropoid coffin of Iineferty, alongside the mummy board placed over Iineferty’s mummified body within the coffin.

The wooden outer coffin is varnished and painted with splendid detail. Iineferty is depicted in a tripartite wig, adored with a lotus bloom upon the crown of head and hair jewels and a pair of circular earrings.

Iineferty depicted upon the lid of her coffin kneeling in adoration.
Iineferty depicted upon the lid of her coffin kneeling in adoration.
Iineferty is seen in spirit form drinking water as a Ba Bird, upon the lower part of her outer coffin.
Iineferty is seen in spirit form drinking water as a Ba Bird, upon the lower part of her outer coffin.

Upon the front of the coffin, are scenes of Iineferty similar to the scenes depicted within the tomb. Both Iineferty and Sennedjem are seen in scenes painted across Iinferty’s body, worshipping the varied gods and partaking in typical funerary iconography, with funerary texts surrounding the imagery. Upon the coffin lid, Iineferty and Sennedjem are even seen being venerated and given libations by their sons, Khonsu and Ramose.

The sky goddess Nut is adorned upon Iineferty’s torso, with her wings outstretched. Various prayers of protection for Iineferty to Nut are written upon the lid within the oblong horizontal “band” formation cascading down Iineferty’s lower body.

Iineferty depicted upon her coffin seated before an offering table before one of her sons.
Iineferty depicted upon her coffin seated before an offering table before one of her sons.
The foot of Iineferty's mummy board, depicting two of her daughters. The text between them reads: "She says: don't leave me!"
The foot of Iineferty’s mummy board, depicting two of her daughters. The text between them reads: “She says: don’t leave me!“

Within the coffin was a beautifully designed mummy-board, presenting Iineferty in a gorgeously detailed, pleated floor length white linen dress, her feet are adorned with sandals, her wrists and arms decorated with bracelets and beads. Showcasing her status and wealth, Iineferty is also depicted with a splendidly detailed usekh collar around her neck and a sublime wig of length and thick plaited details. Wigs were a showcase of status in Ancient Egyptian society, the grander, the better. Iineferty’s wig is decorated with a lotus bloom upon the top of her head and decorative bands to hold the plaits in place. Iineferty’s eyes are lined, and circular earrings protrude through her beautifully plaited wig.
The mummy board is finely carved from wood, with gesso and varnish.

Within the Egyptian Museum of National Civilisation, the mummy board of Sennedjem resides. Sennedjem too, is depicted as a living man in his fine linen shendyt (kilt) and wig.

Iineferty's mummy board, depicts her as a living woman.
Iineferty’s mummy board, depicts her as a living woman.
Once placed over her mummified remains, this board now resides at the Met Museum (86.1.5c).

This cartonnage death mask or funerary mask would have also been placed upon the head of Iineferty’s mummy. Now residing in the Met Museum, along with various other objects from the Tomb of Sennedjem, including Iineferty’s outer-coffin and mummy board, the death mask of Iineferty, showcases the “Lady of the House“, once again in her best form. A large, or even oversized usekh collar, full of fine detail and decor, adorns her chest. Her wig is fanciful, adorned with gracious strands of hair cascading over her face. The lotus bloom adorned upon her head is held in place by a decorative band. Iineferty, is ready to transcend into the afterlife.

Cartonnage funerary mask of Iineferty.
Cartonnage funerary mask of Iineferty.
Met Museum. 86.1.6a

Summary:
Tomb of Sennedjem (TT1)
New Kingdom, 19th Dynasty, c. 1295–1213 B.C.
Deir el-Medina, Upper Egypt, Thebes.


Read more about Sennedjem here: https://egypt-museum.com/?s=sennedjem

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