from Egypt
These model boats come from graves of high-ranking officials in ancient Egypt, beside the coffins. They symbolise the hope that the soul of the deceased person has become immortal, joining the sun god Ra-Horakhty on his eternal journey.
These three wooden boats are models of the kinds of boat which would have travelled along the Nile River. Ra-Horakhty is shown in various guises including cat form, sitting under the canopy in the middle. The rowing crew are also depicted.
In funerary art Ra-Horakhty was shown navigating the night sky to be reborn each day at dawn. According to ancient Egyptian belief, immortal souls accompanied the god on his eternal journey.
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