Egyptian bronze ichneumon coffin, ex Dromoland Castle

E135

£600.00

Available

A rectangular bronze coffin surmounted by a figure of an ichneumon or shrew-mouse. The hollow base would have contained the mummified remains of the animal which would have been offered in sacrifice at a temple. The ichneumon was venerated for its ability to see in the dark and kill venomous snakes.

Culture
Egypt, 1st Millennium BC

Size
3.1 x 5.3 cms

Condition
Intact as shown (contents lost)

Provenance
Ex. private collection, Surrey, UK; acquired from Helios Gallery in 2012. Ex. collection: the Baroness Ethel Inchiquin, Dromoland Castle, Ireland; probably purchased at the Cairo Museum in 1894. Baroness Inchiquin was the wife of Sir Lucius Inchiquin, 15th Baron Inchiquin, Prince of Thomond and chief of the clan O’brien. The diaries of Baroness Inchiquin, including her travels in Egypt, are preserved in the National Museum, Dublin.

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