Late Period, 664-332 BC. A limestone canopic jar with tapering body and wide flat base; poor fitting lid in the form of the baboon-headed Hapi wearing bag wig and flared collar round the neck. 8.65 kg, 35cm (13 3/4"). Property of a Jerusalem gentleman; inherited from his father who acquired them in the 1970s. Hapi was the baboon-headed son of Horus, who protected the lungs of the deceased and was in turn protected by the goddess Nephthys. The spelling of his name includes a hieroglyph which is thought to be connected with steering a boat, although its exact nature is not known. For this reason he was sometimes connected with navigation, although early references call him the great runner: You are the great runner; come, that you may join up my father and not be far in this your name of Hapi, for you are the greatest of my children – so says Horus In Spell 151 of the Book of the Dead Hapi is given the following words to say: I have come to be your protection. I have bound your head and your limbs for you. I have smitten your enemies beneath you for you, and given you your head, eternally. Spell 148 in the Book of the Dead directly associates all four of Horus's sons, described as the four pillars of Shu and one of the four rudders of heaven, with the four cardinal points of the compass. Hapi was associated with the north.

Fine condition.