ba bird from a coffin

Image of a Ba-bird on a Footpiece from a Coffin


Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

The human-headed bird represents the ba-soul, part of the Egyptian soul that could leave the tomb and travel both in this world and in the afterlife. The ancient Egyptians recited spells to ensure that the ba returned to the mummy, its natural home, from its various journeys
MEDIUM Wood, plaster, paint

•Place Made: Egypt

DATES ca. 945-712 B.C.E.

DYNASTY XXII Dynasty

PERIOD Third Intermediate Period

DIMENSIONS 11 x 12 5/8 x 5 5/8 in. (28 x 32.1 x 14.3 cm)

Brooklyn Museum

rooklynmuseum.org