Sarcophagus of the Hathor Priestess Henhenet
Unknown Artist
ca. 2051–2030 B.C.
Medium
Limestone, sandstone, paint
Dimensions
H. 97 cm (38 3/16 in); w. 105 cm (41.5/16 in); l. 261 cm (102 3/4 in)
Classification
Sarcophagus, Henhenet
Period
Middle Kingdom
Department
Egyptian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Egypt Exploration Fund, 1907
Accession Number
07.230.1a, b
Tags
About this artwork
This monumental limestone sarcophagus served as the burial container for Henhenet, a priestess of the goddess Hathor who died around 2051-2030 B.C. during Egypt's Middle Kingdom. The massive structure consists of several limestone slabs assembled on a sandstone base, originally held together by metal straps threaded through interior holes. Inscriptions painted green and then outlined in black adorn two sides of the sarcophagus box, while a third side was begun but left unfinished, providing insi...