These images ππ ±ππ¦ are from the Book of the Dead of Imhotep (Early Ptolemaic Period) at the MET! This particular Book of the Dead is incredible because even though it is only in black ππ or red π§πππ ink and not in full color like some other versions, it is still so beautiful π€ to look at and I am always mesmerized by the details! Letβs take a closer look at both the images ππ ±ππ¦ and the hieroglyphs πΉππͺ!
The top panel shows the goddesses πΉπ Isis π¨ππ₯ (left) and Nephthys π ππ (right) on their knees in a mourning position on either side of the deceased π ππ±. The deceased π ππ± is in the form of a mummy ππΉπ ±πΎ and is laying on a table that is in the form of a lion π³πΉπΏπ.
I love how a row of stars π΄ππΏπΌπͺ separate the two π» panels! The star πΌ hieroglyph πΉπ is another one of my favorite symbols and I love how it is used in both writing and drawing/art!
On the bottom panel, two π» of the Sons of Horus are pictured with Anubis πππͺπ ±π£ in the center. Anubis πππͺπ ±π£ is on his shrine π±πΉ, just like my favorite hieroglyph πΉπ! Qebehsenuef ππ’π’π’ππ is on the left of Anubis πππͺπ ±π£ and Duamutef πΌπ πππ is on the right. The Sons of Horus had and Anubis all had roles in the protection of the deceased π ππ±.
One thing I love about Egyptian art is how a lot of times there are βcaptionsβ next to the people/deities πΉπΉπΉ that are pictured so that way you know who they are! Isis π¨ππ₯ and Nephthys π ππ are obvious to spot because of the crowns on their heads. Their crowns match the hieroglyphs in their names πππ¦ – Isis has a π¨ crown while Nephthys has a π crown! However, Duamutef πΌπ πππ and Qebehsenuef ππ’π’π’ππ are not as easy to recognize because they are mummiform and not in their usual form with the jackal ππΏππ₯ or falcon πππ‘π heads! So in this case, the βcaptionsβ are quite useful!!!