Gilded bier fashioned to resemble the goddess Sekhmet

 

Gilded bier fashioned to resemble the goddess Sekhmet, the fierce protector of the kings in life and death, from the tomb of Tutankhamun, Cairo Museum

Hans Ollermann - https://www.flickr.com/photos/menesje/2284096729/in/set-72157600058597525/

The exquisite, gilded bier on which Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamun's nest of coffins rested, within his Sarcophagus. It is now on display at the Cairo Museum. This picture was originally taken in 2004. The following notes are taken from Howard Carter's index card : 253.A. WOODEN BIER POSITION: Under outer coffin (253). Resting on bottom of Sarcophagus. DIMENSIONS: L. 221; W. 85; H. 26.5, cents. DESCRIPTION: Heavy wooden bed-shaped bier, gesso gilt, having within outer framework an imitation webbing, resembling much the string mesh of the Sudanese Augaûl. On the front two heads of lions, on the back tails of lions; the legs, in like manner, represent the fore and hind feet of a lion. The head is of concave form to fit and receive the convex bottom of the anthropoid outer coffin. The under part of the imitation mesh webbing is varnished with black resin. REMARKS: Cleaned with warm water & ammonia, consolidated with paraffin wax.