Excavations by the Dakhleh Oasis Project at Ismant al-Kharab, ancient Kellis in the Dakhleh Oasis, Egypt, revealed the presence of an extensive necropolis dating to the Roman Period, with hundreds of rock-cut tombs containing multiple burials. Termed the Kellis 1 Cemetery, it yielded a range of artefacts and many of the individuals were provided with elaborately decorated cartonnage coverings. This is the largest collection of such material yet discovered in Dakhleh.

This book presents a detailed analysis of the entire corpus of cartonnage found at Kellis in a securely excavated context. These objects, which include mummy masks, foot-cases, and full body covers, were part of the burial accoutrements of the wealthier residents of the village. Stylistic and digital investigation of the artefacts suggests a well-defined craft production, with the presence of multiple groups of craftsmen using specific manufacturing techniques and local traits in their iconographic repertoire. The scale of evidence demonstrates that Kellis was a vibrant community with a dynamic funerary production in contact with nearby areas. Comparison with finds from the neighbouring Oasis of Kharga, as well as with artefacts in museums collections and from the antiquities market, suggest a complex network of skilled craftsmen throughout the region.

This is the first comprehensive study of the material. It has been studied in person by the author in the field enabling a detailed appraisal of the items, whether intact or fragmentary. It builds on recent research addressing regionalism and craftsmanship, and constitutes one of the main sources to investigate issues of permanence and change in the indigenous funerary customs of the area.

• Cover
• Frontcover
• Halftitle
• Dedication
• Title
• Copyright
• Preface (Colin A. Hope)
• Acknowledgements
• Contents
• Introduction
  • Status Quaestionis: Previous Research and Major Contributors
    • Kellis and the Dakhleh Oasis
    • Kharga Oasis
    • Ptolemaic and Roman Cartonnage from Other Areas
  • Scope of the Study and Research Questions
  • Significance of the Research: The Importance of the Kellis Cartonnage Case Study
  • Methodology
    • Physical and Technical Analysis
    • Visual, Conceptual, and Documentary Analysis
    • Problems of Methodology
  • Volume Outline
• Chapter 1. The Kellis Cartonnage: Archaeological Context
  • Description of the Site
  • The Kellis 1 Cemetery: Archaeological Investigation
  • The Dakhleh Oasis Project Documentation: Sources for the Kellis 1 Cemetery
    • The Kellis Field Notes
    • The Kellis Field Notes by Edwin Brock
    • The Kellis Field Notes by Peter Sheldrick
    • The Kellis Cemetery Notes
    • The Object and Inventory Lists
    • The Dakhleh Oasis Project Survey Field Notes
  • The Kellis 1 Cemetery: Description and Previous Research
  • Cartonnage from the Kellis 1 Cemetery: The Tomb Context
    • Tomb 1
    • Tomb 2
    • Tomb 3
    • Tomb 4
    • Tomb 5
    • Tomb 6
    • Tomb 7
    • Tomb 8
    • Tomb 10
    • Tomb 13
    • Tomb 16
    • Tomb 17
    • Tomb 18
    • Tomb 19
    • Tomb 20
    • Tomb 21
    • Tomb 22
    • Tomb 25
    • Tomb 26
  • Cartonnage from the North Tomb Group
  • Cartonnage from Other Sites in Dakhleh Oasis
  • The Kellis Cartonnage
• Chapter 2. Typology and Iconography of the Kellis Cartonnage
  • Mummy Masks
    • Group I: Mummy Masks with Register-Type Decoration in Egyptian Tradition
      • Face
      • Wreath
      • Forehead
      • Front Wig Lappets
      • Lower Register of the Chest Cover
      • Collar
      • Side Registers
      • Shoulder (Transitional Area)
      • Back
    • Group II: Mummy Masks Depicting Attire
      • Face
      • Hair
      • Wreath
      • Garments
      • Shawl
      • Jewellery
      • Arms and Hands
      • Back
      • Lower Register of Chest Cover
    • Typological Classification
      • Type A
      • Type B
      • Type C
      • Type D
      • Type E
  • Foot-Cases
    • Definition of the Decorative Areas
      • The Upper Side
      • The Lateral Faces
      • The Bottom Side
      • The Toe Cap Area
      • Upper Side: Decorative Scheme
      • The Transitional Frieze
      • Lateral Faces: Decorative Scheme
      • Bottom Side: Decorative Scheme
      • Bottom Side: Typological Classification
      • Toe Cap Area
  • Full Body Covers
    • General Construction and Iconography
      • Top Side
      • Wreaths and Jewellery
      • Lateral Faces (Right and Left Side)
      • Back of the Head
      • Bottom Side of the Feet Area
      • Transitional Frieze
  • Cartonnage from Other Areas of Dakhleh
  • The Kellis Cartonnage: Overview
• Chapter 3. The Kellis Craftsmen
  • The Kellis Craftsmen
  • Identification Process
  • The Craftsmen Groups
    • Craftsmen Group A
      • Distribution
      • Type of Material
      • Iconography, Composition and Draughtsmanship
      • Colour Palette
      • Additional Manufacturing Details
    • Craftsmen Group B
      • Distribution
      • Type of Material
      • Iconography, Composition and Draughtsmanship
      • Colour Palette
      • Additional Manufacturing Details
    • Craftsmen Group C
      • Distribution
      • Type of Material
      • Iconography, Composition and Draughtsmanship
      • Colour Palette
      • Additional Manufacturing Details
    • Craftsmen Group D
      • Distribution
      • Type of Material
      • Iconography, Composition and Draughtsmanship
      • Colour Palette
    • Craftsmen Group E
      • Distribution
      • Type of Material
      • Iconography, Composition and Draughtsmanship
      • Colour Palette
    • Minor Variation F
      • Distribution
      • Type of Material
      • Iconography, Composition and Draughtsmanship
      • Colour Palette
      • Additional Manufacturing Details
    • Minor Variation G
      • Distribution
      • Type of Material
      • Iconography, Composition and Draughtsmanship
      • Colour Palette
    • Minor Variation H
      • Distribution
      • Type of Material
      • Iconography, Composition and Draughtsmanship
      • Colour Palette
    • Minor Variation I
      • Distribution
      • Type of Material
      • Iconography, Composition and Draughtsmanship
      • Colour Palette
  • The Craftsmen and Cartonnage Production at Kellis
  • Further Considerations on Craftsmanship Techniques at Kellis
• Chapter 4. Cartonnage from Kharga Oasis
  • ’Ain el-Labakha
    • Inv. AL 3443 (Mummy Mask)
    • Inv. AL 3444 (Foot-Case)
    • Inv. AL 3445 and AL 3446 (Full Body Covers)
    • Inv. NKOS T 44 (Foot-Case Fragment no. 5)
    • Inv. NKOS T 44 (Foot-Case Fragment no. 4)
  • ’Ain el-Dabashiya
    • Inv. AD 3591 (Mummy Mask)
    • Inv. AD 96.01 (Mummy Cartonnage Set)
  • El-Deir
    • Inv. ED N2.04 (Foot-Case Fragments)
    • Inv. ED N9.01 and N9.01sfce (Full Body Cover Fragment)
    • Inv. ED N13.10 and N13.11 (Full Body Cover Fragments)
    • Inv. ED N13.12 (Mummy Mask Fragment)
    • Inv. ED E12.0.01 (Mummy Mask Fragment)
    • Inv. ED E12.04 and E45sfce.15 (Mummy Mask Fragments)
    • Inv. ED E15.1.01 (Foot-Case and Mask Fragments)
    • Inv. ED E15.1.02 (Foot-Case Fragments)
    • Inv. ED E37.04 (Mummy Mask Fragments)
  • Dush
    • Inv. DU T5, T6, T7 and T8 (Full Body Covers)
    • Inv. DU T75 (Foot-Case Fragment)
  • The Craftsmen between Two Oases
  • The Artisans of CGA: Craftsmanship between Dakhleh and Kharga
  • Artisans and Regionalism: Areas of Trade Interest between Dakhleh and Kharga
  • Additional Considerations on the Dakhleh-Kharga Funerary Market
• Chapter 5. Cartonnage from the Art Market, in Museums and Private Collections
  • Cartonnage on the Art Market
    • Document 1: Christie’s, London, 8 April 1998, lot 147 (Mummy Mask)
    • Document 2: Galerie Samarcande, Paris, 7–8 October 1996, lot (Mummy Mask and Foot-Case)
    • Document 3: Sotheby’s, London, 2 July 1996, lot 64 (Mummy Mask)
    • Document 4: Bonhams, London, 24 June 1998, lot 374 (Mummy Mask)
    • Document 5: Sotheby’s, New York, 13 June 2002, lot 229 (Mummy Mask Fragment)
    • Document 6: Arte Primitivo, New York, October 2008, lot (Mummy Mask Fragment)
    • Document 7: Christie’s, London, 25 November 1997, lot (Mummy Mask)
    • Document 8: Bonhams, London, 3 April 2014, lot 186 (Foot-Case)
    • Document 9: Sadigh Gallery, October 2013, lot 23862 (Foot-Case Fragment)
    • Document 10: Sadigh Gallery, October 2013, lot 23863 (Mummy Mask Fragment)
  • Cartonnage in Museums and Private Collections
    • Atlanta, Michael C. Carlos Museum, inv. 2013.43.8 (Mummy Mask)
    • Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania, L-55-289 (Mummy Mask)
    • Copenhagen, Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, AEIN 297 (Mummy Mask)
  • Identifying Unprovenanced Cartonnage from Kellis
• Chapter 6. Conclusions
  • Challenges for Research, Cultural Heritage Preservation, and Future Directions for Study
  • The Kellis Cartonnage: Gates to Eternity
• Bibliography
• List of Friezes
• Plates
• Appendix: Catalogue of Objects
  • Structure of the Catalogue
  • K1.1.01
  • K1.1.02
  • K1.1.03
  • K1.1.04
  • K1.1.05
  • K1.1.06
  • K1.1.07
  • K1.3.01
  • K1.4.01
  • K1.5.01
  • K1.5.02
  • K1.6.01
  • K1.6.02
  • K1.7.01
  • K1.7.02
  • K1.7.03
  • K1.8.01
  • K1.8.02
  • K1.10.01
  • K1.10.02
  • K1.10.03
  • K1.10.04
  • K1.10.05
  • K1.13.01
  • K1.13.02
  • K1.13.03
  • K1.13.04
  • K1.16.01
  • K1.16.02
  • K1.16.03
  • K1.16.04
  • K1.16.05
  • K1.16.06
  • K1.16.07
  • K1.16.08
  • K1.17.01
  • K1.18.01
  • K1.18.02
  • K1.18.03
  • K1.18.04
  • K1.18.05
  • K1.18.06
  • K1.18.07
  • K1.18.08
  • K1.18.09
  • K1.18.10
  • K1.19.01
  • K1.19.02
  • K1.19.03
  • K1.19.04
  • K1.20.01
  • K1.20.02
  • K1.20.03
  • K1.20.04
  • K1.20.05
  • K1.20.06
  • K1.20.07
  • K1.21.01
  • K1.21.02
  • K1.21.03
  • K1.21.04
  • K1.21.05
  • K1.21.06
  • K1.21.07
  • K1.21.08
  • K1.21.09
  • K1.21.10
  • K1.21.11
  • K1.22.01
  • K1.22.02
  • K1.22.03
  • K1.25.01
  • K1.25.02
  • K1.25.03
  • K1.25.04
  • K1.25.05
  • K1.25.06
  • K1.25.07
  • NT.5.01
  • NT.16.01
• The Dakhleh Oasis Project Monographs