“Soul House” from the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts, Moscow
Anokhina Evgeniia A., Malykh Svetlana E.
The paper deals with the analysis of an unusual Ancient Egyptian clay offering tray, а socalled “soul house”, from the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts, Moscow (Inv. no. I, 1a 6114). The authors provide a general description of pottery offering trays from the First Intermediate Period and the Middle Kingdom and discuss specific elements of decoration of the “soul house” from the Pushkin Museum. The paper also highlights the question of authenticity of the Pushkin Museum “soul house” since its elements are non-typical for similar objects. In this respect, the authors address the topic of forgeries in the collection of R. de Rustafjell and present the results of technological and thermoluminescence analysis of the clay of the “soul house”.
References:
Anokhina, E.A., Malykh, S.E., Mednikova, M.B., Orfinskaya, O.V. 2020: Glinyanyy grobik s mumiey iz sobraniya GMII im. A. S. Pushkina: opyt kompleksnogo issledovaniya [Clay Coffin with a Mummy from the Collection of the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts: Attempt of Comprehensive Research]. Moscow–Saint Petersburg.
Анохина, Е.А., Малых, С.Е., Медникова, М.Б., Орфинская, О. В. Глиняный гробик с мумией из собрания ГМИИ им. А. С. Пушкина: Опыт комплексного исследования. (Труды исторического факультета МГУ. Вып. 188. Сер. II: Исторические исследования, 123). М. – СПб.
Arnold, Do. 2005: The architecture of Meketre’s slaughterhouse and other early twelfth dynasty wooden models. In: P. Jánosi (ed.), Structure and Significance: Thoughts on Ancient Egyptian Architecture. Wien, 1–75.
Arnold, Do., Bourriau, J. 1993: An Introduction to Ancient Egyptian Pottery. Mainz am Rhein.
Askamit, J. 2001: False Egyptian predynastic antiquities – a question of methodology. In: J. Miziolek (ed.), Falsifications in Polish Collections and Abroad. Warsaw, 51–60.
Bardoňová, M. 2019: Grain Storage in Ancient Egypt (2600–1650 BC). Typology and Socio-Economic Implications. PhD Diss. Prague.
Berlev, O.D., Vasil’eva, O.A., Dyuzheva, O.P., Lechitskaya, O.V., Rubinshteyn, R.I., Savel’ev, Yu.A., Smolenkova, V.V., Hodzhash, S.I., Shurinova, R.D. 2002: Put’ k bessmertiyu. Pamyatniki drevneegipetskogo iskusstva v sobranii Gosudarstvennogo muzeya izobrazitel’nykh iskusstv imeni A. S. Pushkina. Katalog vystavki [The Way to Immortality. Monuments of Ancient Egypt Art from the Collection of the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts. Catalogue of the Exhibition]. Moscow.
Берлев, О.Д., Васильева, О.А., Дюжева, О.П., Лечицкая, О.В., Рубенштейн, Р.И., Савельев, Ю.А., Смоленкова, В.В., Ходжаш, С.И., Шуринова, Р. Д. Путь к бессмертию. Памятники древнеегипетского искусства в собрании Государственного музея изобразительных искусств имени А. С. Пушкина. Каталог выставки. М.
Bierbrier, M.L. 2012: Who Was Who in Egyptology. London.
Blackman, A.M. 1920: A painted pottery model of a granary in the collection of the late Jeremiah James Colman, Esq. of Carrow House, Norwich. The Journal of Egyptian Archaeology 6 (3), 206–208.
Bolshakov, A.O. 1985: (Rev.) M. Mostafa. Untersuchungen zu Opfertafeln im Alten Reich]. Epigrafika Vostoka [Oriental Epigraphy] 23, 102–103.
Большаков, А.О. (Рец.) M. Mostafa. Untersuchungen zu Opfertafeln im Alten Reich. Эпиграфика Востока 23, 102–103.
Bolshakov, A.O. 2001a: Offering tables. In: D. B. Redford (ed.), The Oxford Encyclopedia of Ancient Egypt. Oxford, 572–576.
Bolshakov, A.O. 2001b: Chelovek i ego Dvoynik. Izobrazitel’nost’ i mirovozzrenie v Egipte Starogo tsarstva [Man and His Double: Artistic Representation and Mentality in the Old Kingdom Egypt]. Saint Petersburg.
Большаков, А. О. Человек и его Двойник. Изобразительность и мировоззрение в Египте Старого царства. СПб.
Bourriau, J., Nicholson, P.T., Rose, P. 2000: The pottery. In: P. T. Nicholson, I. Shaw (eds.), Ancient Egyptian Materials and Technology. Cambridge, 121–147.
Brunton, G. 1934: Modern paintings on predynastic pots. Annales du Service des Antiquités de l’Égypte 34, 149–156.
Demidchik, A.E. 2013: [Written evidence of the continuity of the kA‑concept with the notion of twt, ‘image’, ‘statue’]. In: A. O. Bolshakov (ed.), Peterburgskie egiptologicheskie chteniya 2011–2012 [St. Petersburg Egyptological Readings 2011–2012]. Saint Petersburg, 68–74.
Демидчик, А. Е. Письменные свидетельства смежности концепта kA и понятия twt ‘изображение’. В сб.: А. О. Большаков (ред.), Петербургские египтологические чтения 2011–2012. (ТГЭ, 66). СПб., 68–74.
Demidchik, A.E. 2015: Eleventh dynasty written evidence on the relationship between the kA and the cult image. Zeitschrift für Ägyptische Sprache und Altertumskunde 142 (1), 25–32.
Edel, E. 2008: Die Felsgräbernekropole der Qubbet el Hawa bei Assuan. Paderborn–München–Wien–Zürich.
El-Khadragy, M. 2006: The northern soldiers-tomb at Asyut. Studien zur Altägyptischen Kultur 35, 147–164.
Eschenbrenner-Diemer, G. 2017: From the workshop to the grave: The case of wooden funerary models. In: G. Miniaci, M. Betrò, S. Quirke (eds.), Company of Images. Modelling the Imaginary World of Middle Kingdom Egypt (2000–1500 BC). Leuven–Paris–Bristol, 133–191.
Faltings, D. 1998: Die Keramik der Lebensmittelproduktion im Alten Reich. Ikonographie und Archäologie eines Gebrauchsartikels. Heidelberg.
Fiechter, J.-J. 2005: Faux et Faussaires en Art égyptien. (MonAeg, 11). Turnhout.
Goedicke, C. 2006: Luminescence dating of Egyptian artefacts. In: E. Hornung, R. Krauss, D. Warburton (eds.), Ancient Egyptian Chronology. Leiden–Boston, 356–360.
Grajetzki, W., Whelan, P. 2008: The mummiform figure of Senankh from Abydos. Studien zur Altägyptischen Kultur 37, 125–130.
Hagen, F., Ryholt, K. 2016: The Antiquities Trade in Egypt 1880–1930. The H. O. Lange Papers. (Sci. Dan.H., 4/8). Copenhagen.
Hendrickx, S. 2002: Checklist of predynastic “decorated” pottery with human figuration. Cahiers Caribéens d’Égyptologie 3–4, 29–50.
Hood, A.G.E., Schwenninger, J.-L. 2016: Optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating and its application to ancient Egyptian ceramics in the 21st century. In: B. Bader, C. M. Knoblauch, E. C. Köhker (eds.), Vienna 2 – Ancient Egyptian Ceramics in the 21st Century. (OLA, 245). Leuven, Paris, Bristol, 287–298.
Ivanov, S.V. 2019 [To the question of ceramic offering trays from Memphis]. Egipet i sopredel’nye strany [Egypt and Neighbouring Countries] 3, 32–41.
Иванов, С.В. К вопросу о керамических жертвенниках из Мемфиса. Египет и сопредельные страны 3, 32–41.
Junker, H. 1951: Giza X. Der Friedhof südlich der Cheopspyramide. Westteil. Wien.
Kilian, A. 2012: Pottery offering trays: General observations and new Material from Asyut. In: J. Kahl, M. El-Khadragy, U. Verhoeven, A. Kilian (eds.), Seven Seasons at Syut. First Results of the Egyptian-German Cooperation in Archaeological Fieldwork. Wiesbaden, 105–118.
Kilian, A. 2016: Offering trays. In: J. Kahl, N. Deppe, D. Goldsmith, A. Kilian, Ch. Kitagawa, J. Moje, M. Zöller-Engelhardt, Asyut, Tomb III: Objects. Wiesbaden, 173–195.
Kroenke, K.R. 2010: The Provincial Cemeteries of Naga ed-Deir: A Comprehensive Study of Tomb Models Dating from the Late Old Kingdom to the Late Middle Kingdom. PhD Diss. Berkeley.
Kuentz, Ch. 1981: Bassins et tables d’offfrandes. Le Bulletin de l’Institut Français d’Archéologie Orientale 81, 243–282.
Leclère, Fr. 2001: Les ‘maisons d’ame’ egyptiennes: une tentative mise au point. In: B. Muller (ed.), “Maquettes architecturales” de l’Antiquité. Paris, 99–121.
López Grande, M.J. 2011: Field notes from Dra Abu el-Naga on the First Intermediate Period / Early Middle Kingdom pottery. In: D. Aston, B. Bader, C. Gallorini, P. Nicholson, S. Buckingham (eds.), Under the Potter’s Tree. Studies on Ancient Egypt Presented to Janine Bourriau on the Occasion of her 70th Birthday. Leuven–Paris–Walpole, 575–602.
Malykh, S. 2010: Egyptian Votive Pottery of the Old Kingdom. Moscow.
Малых, С. Е. Вотивная керамика Египта эпохи Древнего царства. М.
Mi, F. 2020: Ceramic offering trays in the Museo Egizio, Turin. Establishing typologies and locating unprovenanced specimens. Rivista del Museo Egizio 4, 94–121.
Mi, F. 2021: Architectural models of ancient Egypt: The soul houses of the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden. In: M. Arranz Cárcamo, R. Sánchez Casado, A. Planelles Orozco, S. Alarcón Robledo, J. Ortiz García, P. Mora Riudavets (eds.), Current Research in Egyptology 2019. Oxford, 47–77.
Minault-Gout, A. 1980: Rapport préliminaire sur les première et seconde campagnes de fouilles du mastaba II à Balat (oasis de Dakhleh), 1979–1980. Le Bulletin de l’Institut Français d’Archéologie Orientale 80, 271–286.
Mond, R., Myers, O. 1937: Cemeteries of Armant. Vol. I. The Plates. London.
Montonati, T. 2018: Two ancient Egyptian models in the historical photographic archive of the Museo Egizio, Turin. Rivista del Museo Egizio 2, 1–18.
Niwinski, A. 1975: Plateaux d’offrandes et „maisons d’âmes“. Genèse, évolution et fonction dans le culte des morts au temps de la XIIe dynastie. Études et Travaux 8, 74–112.
Niwinski, A. 1981: “Domki dusz” i tace ofiarne z Edfu w zbiorach Muzeum Narodowego w Warszawie. Rocznik Museum Narodowego w Warszawie 25, 65–108.
Niwinski, A. 1984: Seelenhaus. In: W. Helck, E. Otto (eds.), Lexikon der Ägyptologie. Bd. V. Wiesbaden, 806–813.
Nordström, H.-Å. 1986: Ton (clay). In: W. Helck, E. Otto (eds.), Lexikon der Ägyptologie. Bd. VI. Wiesbaden, 629–634.
Payne, C.J., Kaczmarczyk, A., Fleming, S.J. 1977: Forged decoration on predynastic pots. The Journal of Egyptian Archaeology 63, 5–12.
Peet, T.E., Loat, W.L.S. 1913: The Cemeteries of Abydos. Vol. III. 1912–1913. London.
Petrie, W.M.F. 1890: Kahun, Gurob and Hawara. London.
Petrie, W.M.F. 1891: Illahun, Kahun and Gurob. London.
Petrie, W.M.F. 1900: Dendereh, 1898. London.
Petrie, W.M.F. 1901: Diospolis Parva. The Cemeteries of Abadiyeh and Hu. 1898–1899. London.
Petrie, W.M.F. 1907: Gizeh and Rifeh. London.
Petrie, W.M.F., Quibell, J.E. 1896: Naqada and Ballas. 1895. London.
Picardo, N. 2014: Houses, soul houses, and offering trays: The lives of mortuary objects before the cemetery. In: 65th Annual Meeting of the American Research Center in Egypt. San Antonio, 67–68.
Quibell, J.E. 1898: El Kab. London.
Reisner, G.A., Smith, W.S. 1955: A History of the Giza Necropolis. The Tomb of Hetep-Heres the Mother of Cheops. Vol. II. Cambridge.
Roik, E. 1988: Das Altägyptische Wohnhaus und seine Darstellung im Flachbild. Frankfurt am Main– Bern–New York–Paris.
Rustafjaell, R. de 1907a: Palaeolithic Vessels of Egypt. London.
Rustafjaell, R. de 1907b: Catalogue of a Collection of Antiquities from Egypt, Comprising Palaeolithic and Neolithic Implements, Some Very Remarkable and Unique Water Receptacles, Pottery, Being the Second Portion of the Collection of Robert de Rustafjaell. London.
Rustafjaell, R. de 1909: The Light of Egypt. London.
Rustafjaell, R. de 1913: Catalogue of the Remaining Part of the Valuable Collection of Egyptian Antiquities Formed by Robert de Rustafjaell, esq. Sotheby, Wilkinson & Hodge, 20–24 Jan. 1913. London.
Rustafjaell, R. de 1914a: Antiquités d’Égypte Prédynastiques, Romaines et Chrétiennes. Paris.
Rustafjaell, R. de 1914b: Stone Age in Egypt. New York.
Rustafjaell, R. de 1915a: Photographs of an Egyptian Collection Illustrated in 37 Plates. New York.
Rustafjaell, R. de 1915b: Catalogue of the Interesting and Valuable Egyptian Collection Formed by Mr. Robert de Rustafjaell, Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society. New York.
Ryholt, K. 2014: A Greek-demotic temple archive from Edfu dating to the reign of Ptolemy VIII. Zeitschrift für Papyrologie und Epigraphik 190, 173–187.
Slater, R.A. 1974: The Archaeology of Dendereh in the First Intermediate Period. PhD Diss. Philadelphia.
Spence, K. 2011: Air, comfort and status: Interpreting the domestic features of “Soul houses” from Rifa. In: D. Aston, B. Bader, C. Gallorini, P. Nicholson (eds.), Under the Potter’s Tree. Studies on Ancient Egypt Presented to Janine Bourriau on the Occasion of her 70th Birthday. Leuven–Paris–Walpole, 895–913.
Tooley, A.M.J. 1989: Middle Kingdom Burial Customs. A Study on Wooden Models and Related Material. Liverpool.
Turaev, B., Mal’mberg, V., Shcherbakov, N. 1914: Muzey izyashchnykh iskusstv imperatora Aleksandra III v Moskve. Kratkiy illyustrirovannyy putevoditel’. Ch. I. Egipet, Vavilono-Assiriya, Gretsiya, Rim [Museum of Fine Arts of Emperor Alexander III in Moscow. A Brief Illustrated Guide. Pt. I. Egypt, Babylon-Assyria, Greece, Rome]. Moscow.
Тураев, Б., Мальмберг, В., Щербаков, Н. Музей изящных искусств императора Александра III в Москве. Краткий иллюстрированный путеводитель. Ч. I. Египет, Вавилоно-Ассирия, Греция, Рим. М.
Vandier, J. 1955: Manuel d’Archéologie égyptienne. T. II, 2. Paris.
Voss, S. 2014: Ludwig Borchardts Berichte über Fälschungen im ägyptischen Antikenhandel von 1899 bis 1914: Aufkommen, Methoden, Techniken, Spezialisierungen und Vertrieb. In: M. Fitzenreiter (ed.), Authentizität. Artefakt und Versprechen in der Archäologie. (IBAES XV). London, 51–59.
Winlock, H.E. 1942: Excavations at Deir el Bahri: 1911–1931. New York.