Dating from Egypt's Eighteenth Dynasty circa 1340 B.C., the Coffin of Akhenaten is an exceptional artifact that illustrates the architectural and artistic methods specific to the Amarna Period. The lid exhibits a carved likeness, thought to be Pharaoh Akhenaten, notably characterized by features exaggerated in the Amarna style - such as slanted almond-shaped eyes, accentuated lips, and high cheekbones
The Coffin is marked with complex hieroglyphic inscriptions and symbols. The representation of the pharaoh wearing a royal nemes headdress, along with a ceremonial beard, associates him with divine entities. Preserved traces of ochre-red and black coloring accentuate the hieroglyphics and artistic nuances, contributing to the overall aesthetic.
The body of the coffin displays bands of sacred text interspersed with protective deities, sequentially arranged to promote the eternal life of the King. At the coffin's foot, charged with protective symbolism, are the goddesses Isis and Nephthys, their wings outstretched, signifying their role as guardians in the afterlife, underscoring the pharaoh's divine association.
