Though provided with negligible text, the chest is here included as the only certain survivor of the lost royal burial. Of Egyptian alabaster and in square naos form, the box is covered by a lid provided with cavetto cornice and torus moldings (base: 48 cm x 48 cm x 53 cm; lid: 58 cm x 54.5 cm x 17.5 cm). The interior is carved into four compartments, approximately 15 cm in diameter. On each lateral side, Isis and Nephthys enfold their wings across the surface. Text appears only on the front, with slight damage from a crowbar once used in prying off the lid. The roof of the lid is decorated with a spread vulture facing the front; the separate head is now lost. serpents are carved along the side edges.
The chest was donated to the berlin Museum in 1891 by Julius Issac without acquisition information. Possible burial sites include Thebes, Tanis, Bubastis, Memphis, or Heracleopolis. A Theban origin is suggested by Capart 1941, 254, but questioned by Yoyotte 1988b, 42 and 47 n. 9.
For discussion and text, see Dodson 1994a, 83-85 (cat. 44), 131, 178-79, and pls. XXXVII-XXXVIII; Konigliche Museen zu Berlin 1899, 232; 1895, 16 and pl. 42 (with lost vulture head); Oriental Institute photo B 54. Supposed canopic jars of Sheshonq I at Tanis have been reattributed to the new Sheshonq IV, see Dodson 1994a, 83-84 (cat. 50/1-2), 93-94, 178-79, plate XLIII; 1994b, 53-58. See Kitchen 1995, xxv-vi §Y; 1986, 545 §452.
Royal Names
[nb] h™[.w] Hd-hpr-R™-stp-n-R™ (2) nb tl. wy Ssnq mri-/mn (3) [di] ™nh (4) mi R™ d. t
[The Lord of] Diadem[s], Hedjkheperre-setepenre, (2) Lord of the Two Lands, Sheshonq, beloved of Amon, (3) [given] life (4) like Re forever.
World History
