Treasure of Tutankhamun. Portable simulacrum of Anubis
Portable simulacrum of Anubis found inside the Tomb of Tutankhamun and placed at the entrance to the treasure chamber. The jackal's snout was turned towards the burial chamber. At the time of its discovery it was covered by a linen sheet on which was inscribed the date of the seventh year of Akhenaten's reign. Between the jackal's front legs was a tablet bearing the name Meritaten, daughter of Nefertiti. The jackal is the form of the god Anubis, represented here atop a reliquary. The animal's body is rendered with great detail and has been carved into wood, then plastered and painted. Gold leaves have been used for the ears and collar, while the claws are made of silver. The eyes are made of calcite with obsidian pupils and gold outline. The reliquary is made of wood, plaster and gold. The decoration includes djed pillars and Isis knots together with a series of hieroglyphic inscriptions. Two long wooden poles were used to carry the simulacrum in procession. Several amulets, pectorals and vases were found inside the chest.
