TAA i.3.5.3

                                                                                                                           (3)

are backed with a screen of linen and are similar in detail to those 

on the canopy. Upon each of the four sides of the chest a tute-

lary goddess and her genius are depicted accompanied with inscrip-

tions proper to each and uniform in character. On the west side 

(front) are the speeches spoken by Isis and Imsety; on the south 

side are those of Nephthys and Hepy; on the north side are those 

of Neith and Dua-mutef and the god Geb; and lastly on the east 

side (back) those of (?) Selket and Qebeh-senwef, Atum and Ptah-

seker-Osiris (the name of the goddess is not mentioned). Inscribed 

on the upper surface of the roof are the speeches of Nut, Imsety 

and Hepy, and the imakhy-formulae of Geb, a falcon god, Anubis, 

Dua-mutef and Qebeh-senwef.

          Surrounding the chest, free-standing, are statuettes of the 

four tutelary goddesses. One guards the chest on each of its

four sides, but while they face the chest, an additional note of 

realism is imparted by these statuettes, for their heads are re-

presented turned sideways, looking over their shoulders, as though 

to watch against surprise. These gracious little figures with 

outstretched protective arms are carved of wood, overlaid with 

gesso, and are gilded with gold-foil. From the point of view of 

workmanship they represent the culminating power of Egyptian art 

in the Eighteenth Dynasty – they are tender in feeling and true 

to the idea. Including the emblems upon their heads they stand

90 cms. in height, they wear the khat-headdress, the bead usekh-

collar round the neck, a close fitting gauffered linen short-