Coffin of Teti
Unknown Artist
ca. 1550–1458 B.C.
Medium
Wood (ficus sycomorus), paint, mortar, plaster, stucco
Dimensions
l. 184 cm (72 7/16 in); w. 44 cm (17 5/16 in); h. 76 cm (29 15/16 in)
Classification
Coffin, Teti, rectangular
Period
Early New Kingdom
Department
Egyptian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1912
Accession Number
12.181.302a, b
Tags
Art Historical Context
Step into ancient Egypt with the *Coffin of Teti*, a stunning survivor from the Early New Kingdom around 1550–1458 B.C., during the early Dynasty 18. Crafted for an individual named Teti—likely a high-ranking official—this anthropoid coffin reflects the era's revival of monumental art and deep spiritual beliefs following the Hyksos expulsion. It embodies the Egyptians' quest for eternal life, serving as a protective vessel for the mummy in the afterlife journey. Masterfully constructed from ficus sycomorus wood (the native sycamore fig, prized for its durability), the coffin was layered with ...