Book of the Dead for the Chantress of Amun Nauny
Unknown Artist
ca. 1050 B.C.
Medium
Papyrus, paint
Dimensions
L. 521.5 cm (206 5/16 in); H. 35 cm (13 3/4 in)
Classification
Papyrus, funerary, Book of the Dead, Nauny
Period
Third Intermediate Period
Department
Egyptian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1930
Accession Number
30.3.31
Rights
Public Domain
Tags
Art Historical Context
This remarkable papyrus scroll, the Book of the Dead for the Chantress of Amun Nauny, dates to around 1050 B.C. in Egypt’s Third Intermediate Period during Dynasty 21. Painted by an unknown artist on papyrus—a lightweight yet durable medium ideal for lengthy sacred texts—it stretches an impressive 521.5 cm in length while standing 35 cm high, allowing for an unfolding narrative of images and writing. Created as a funerary guide for Nauny, a chantress devoted to the god Amun, the work is filled with hieroglyphs and vivid depictions of deities such as Anubis, Horus, and Isis. These elements reflect core ancient Egyptian beliefs about navigating the afterlife, blending art, religion, and ritual in a personal yet culturally vital object. Acquired by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1930 through the Rogers Fund, this piece from the Egyptian Art department offers visitors a tangible connection to the spiritual and artistic world of Dynasty 21, highlighting the skill of anonymous craftsmen who produced such essential companions for eternity.