Canopic chest

Canopic chests are cases used by ancient Egyptians to contain the internal organs removed during the process of mummification.

Canopic chests contained the internal organs (viscera) of mummies, so they relate to the Egyptian belief that the afterlife is just as important as life on earth.

Egyptians believed that everything had to be perfectly preserved to journey into the land after life and as part of the mummification process they removed viscera from the body.

The style and materials were different at different times, though always reflected the Egyptian ideal of perfectly measured and precise beauty.

The tall wooden shrine-like chests had bright painting on their sides and a falcon crouching on top.