A conservation project to study and preserve the fragmented gilded cartonnage coffin of Kaineferi.
In 1900, The Nicholson Museum received an allotment of finds from the Egypt Exploration Fund’s excavations in the area of ancient Diospolis Parva, modern day Hu (Arabic هو-). Included in this group, were fragments of a lavishly painted cartonnage coffin that was made to encase the mummified remains of a man named Kaineferi. The exterior of the coffin was once gilded and depicts the judgement scene below hieroglyphic text. The interior is decorated with a range of scenes from the Underworld on a black background.
Until relatively recently, the cartonnage had been stored without any labelling in the Museum and while our research revealed that it certainly arrived in 1900, it had not been registered into the collections until 2018. In this same year, Macquarie University PhD candidate Danielle Sass, undertook the first compete translation of the texts since the coffin’s discovery, aligning the fragments with the 1901 published transcription of the hieroglyphs (Petrie and Mace, plate XLI).
The cartonnage coffin needs considerable conservation before we can display it in our galleries. Our team is now undertaking a new multi-disciplinary conservation and analysis project to research and preserve the fragmented cartonnage. Using the latest technology, new methodologies and collaborating with experts in Egyptology, museum conversation, material science, physics and chemistry, we aim to reveal the ancient techniques and materials used in its creation, stabilise the fragments, and enact a long-term preservation plan.
Collaboration with Sydney Analytical.
Project leads: Ali Ibrahim and Dr Elizabeth Carter
The first component of our study explores the application of a new technology called Optical Photothermal Infrared (O-PTIR) spectroscopy. O-PTIR spectroscopy enables non-invasive analysis of organic and inorganic materials at the submicron scale. Complex sample preparation is not required, and the technique allows the simultaneous collection of infrared and Raman data. To demonstrate the capabilities of the instrument, it has been applied to the analysis of Kaineferi’s cartonnage coffin. The primary focus is characterising the pigment composition and preparation layers to provide a deeper understanding of their artistic and cultural significance.
Key findings include the use of mixed materials in black pigments, indicating traditional methods of pigment preparation. The identification of animal glue in the red pigment underscores the use of organic binders. The high spatial resolution of O-PTIR spectroscopy enables precise targeting of specific areas within complex mixtures and allows for identification of pigment signatures such as hematite and azurite. Analysis of the preparation layer revealed the presence of lipids, highlighting their role in enhancing the adherence and qualities of the preparation layer.
Our research demonstrates O-PTIR spectroscopy as a powerful, non-invasive method for characterising complex cultural artifacts, enabling vital contributions to heritage conservation and restoration practices. The findings provide a foundation for further comparative studies, facilitating a better understanding of the materials and techniques employed in ancient artistic practices.
Initial Outcomes
Featured image (top of the page): The Cartonnage Coffin of Kaineferi during the documentation process, Chau Chak Wing Museum, 2025, Photo by David James.
Phone: +61 2 93512812
Email: ccwm.info@sydney.edu.au
Chau Chak Wing Museum
University Place
Camperdown NSW 2050
