Small Canopic Jar of Quebehsenuef Statue

Canopic Jars were in use from the Old Kingdom onwards in Egypt to store various internal organs removed during the process of mummification. They were four in number and eventually came to represent the Four Sons of Horus. Each jar had a characteristic head associated with the demi-god charged with the safekeeping of a particular human organ. These four genii also represented the four cardinal points of the compass. Duamutef, the jackal-headed jar representing the east, contained the stomach and was protected by the goddess Neith. Qebehsenuef, the falcon-headed jar representing the west, contained the intestines and was protected by the goddess Selket. Hapi, the baboon-headed jar representing the north, contained the lungs and was protected by the goddess Nephthys. Imseti, the human-headed jar representing the south, contained the liver and was protected by the goddess Isis.