Mummy cover of an anonymous lady
Plastered and painted wood
Third Intermediate Period, 21st Dynasty (ca. 1069-945 B.C.)
Second Cache of Deir el-Bahari (Bab el-Gasus)

This mummy cover belongs to coffin E.5884. The owner was connected with the cult of Amun as a singer. The cover is in a very poor state of preservation. The thick layer of varnish typical of Deir el-Bahari coffins has been applied sparingly here and is even virtually absent on the large neck collar with floral design. However, this does allow the original blue, green and red tones used by the painters of the 21st Dynasty to be clearly visible. The imposed hands have disappeared, but the holes show where they used to be fixed to the board with dowels. The simple decoration consists of a row of scarabs from top to bottom (the god Khepri pushing the morning sun through the sky), flanked on the left and right by the god of the dead, Osiris. At the very bottom, the deceased kneels before a table with offerings.

In the penultimate register, Osiris stands upright. He is wearing the traditional attire for the Sed festival. This ceremony is usually celebrated by the (living) Pharaoh in his 30th year of reign. The rituals ensure that the king rejuvenates and is able to ascend the throne again.