The Griffith Institute
Tutankhamun: Anatomy of an Excavation
The Howard Carter Archives
Photographs by Harry Burton
Introduction
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Carter No.: 266

Handlist description: Wooden canopy on sledge with statues of Isis, Nephthys, Neith and Selket

Card/Transcription No.: 266a-04


4

Surrounding the chest, free-standing, are statuettes of the four tutelary goddesses. One guards the chest on each of its four sides, but while they face the chest, an additional note of realism is imparted by these statuettes, for their heads are represented turned sideways, looking over their shoulders, as though to watch against surprise. These gracious little figures with outstretched protective arms are carved of wood, overlaid with gesso, and gilded with gold-foil. They represent the culminating power of Egyptian art in the Eighteenth Dynasty - they are tender in feeling and true to the idea. Including the emblems upon their heads they stand 90 cms. in height; they wear the khat-headdress, the bead usekh-collar, a close fitting gauffered linen short-sleeved dress which is fastened in front at the waist by a long gauffered sash, and draped over the left shoulder is a shawl of gauffered linen.

Card no. 266a-04 relating to Carter no. 266
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Tutankhamun: Anatomy of an Excavation
Concept & Direction: Jaromir Malek
Web Page & Database Designs: Jonathan Moffett
Scanning & transcript: Sue Hutchison, Elizabeth Miles, Diana Magee, Kent Rawlinson