The exterior of this wooden coffin is decorated with figures of gods and
minor divinities in shrines, alternating with invocations to various
divinities. The most interesting scene is that next the foot on the right
side, showing the goddess Hathor in the form of a cow. Beside her is a
suggestion of the Theban cliffs and the open door of her shrine, which was
hewn in the mountain side. This very shrine was discovered on February 7,
1906, and in it intact was a life-size cult statue of Hathor as a cow.
Hathor was supposed to receive the setting sun and to welcome the dead on
the brink of the next world. The decoration of the interior of the coffin
is bolder and more highly colored than the exterior. On the floor may be
noted the large standing figure of Osiris of Busiris. Various divinities
are represented surrounding him. On the sides of the coffin are three
registers containing each three mummiform figures with human or animal
heads; at the top is the soul of the deceased, represented as a
human-headed bird. This coffin doubtless comes from Thebes. The absence
of the cover makes it impossible to determine the ownership. The coffin
was perhaps originally decorated in advance for a woman’s burial, and held
in stock for any burial. In one place, however, a man’s titles are given,
although the name is not recorded, so that possibly, before the decoration
of the coffin was completed, it was adapted to the use of a man.
[Statuette, Wood. Dynasty XII]