A highly ornamented ancient Egyptian coffin from the first century B.C. is the centerpiece of this exhibition. The coffin, which was inscribed for a high-ranking priest of the ram-headed god Heryshef of Herakleopolis, is displayed with seventy works from The Met collection that provide contextual information about Nedjemankh's role as a priest in ancient Egypt, his burial, and the decoration on the coffin.
The exhibition is made possible by The Daniel P. Davison Fund.
Gilded coffin belonging to the priest of Heryshef, Nedjemankh (detail). Late Ptolemaic to early Roman Period, first century B.C. Cartonnage (linen, glue, gesso), gesso, paint, gold, silver, resin, glass, wood, leaded bronze. Lid: 71 1/4 x 20 7/8 x 11 in. (181 x 53 x 28 cm); base: 70 7/8 x 21 1/4 x 4 3/4 in. (180 x 54 x 12 cm)