1920s Ancient Egyptian Funerary Model Boat Vintage Postcard

About This Vintage Postcard

This archaeological postcard features a rare Egyptian funerary model of a sailing vessel and its crew, dating back to the XII Dynasty around 2000 B.C. Discovered in a tomb at Meir, Egypt, these wooden models were essential grave goods intended to magically provide the deceased with transportation in the afterlife. Specifically, this vessel was meant for the symbolic voyage to Abydos, the sacred sanctuary of Osiris, the ruler of the dead. The image captures the incredible detail of the ancient craftsmanship, including the standing pilot at the bow and the seated oarsmen. This card serves as an official record from the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, illustrating the museum's role in documenting and sharing the wonders of ancient Nile civilizations during the early 20th century.

Details

Era: Divided Back (circa 1920–1925)
City: Chicago
State or Region: Illinois
Country: United States (Museum Location)
Topic: Egyptian Antiquities, Art Institute of Chicago, Funerary Models, Middle Kingdom Egypt, Archaeological Artifacts
Condition: Uncirculated
Postage: None
Address Side: divided back
Orientation: Horizontal (Landscape)
Artist / Photographer: Unknown
Publisher: Art Institute of Chicago
Printer: Unknown
Print Type: Collotype

Additional Information

This postcard is an official publication of the Art Institute of Chicago, identified by the elaborate red-inked graphic header on the reverse. The manufacturing date is narrowed to the early 1920s based on the specific typography and the mention of the Art Institute Extension, a program that was highly active during this decade. The artifact itself originates from the XII Dynasty, a period famous for high-quality wooden tomb models that replaced the elaborate wall paintings of earlier eras. The Meir site mentioned in the caption was an important provincial cemetery for the nomarchs (local governors) of the Kusite nome. The card features an intricate Art Deco-influenced stamp box and border, reflecting the sophisticated graphic design of the museum's publications during the interwar period.

This postcard would look great framed or make an excellent addition to any collection.

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