Model King Tut Sarcophagus and Artist
ClassificationsPrinted Materials-periodicals-newspapers
Associated withAssociated with artist
Claire Doret
(Swiss Born, 1887 - 1982)
Subject
Claire Doret
(Swiss Born, 1887 - 1982)
Datec. 1930
MediumPhotographic print
Dimensions4 3/8 x 3 1/2 in. (11.1 x 8.9 cm)
Credit Linegift of Ms. Katherine Hotchkiss
Object number99.27.6
DescriptionThis 1930s black and white photograph of a replica of King Tut's sarcophagus and skeleton photographed with the creator, Claire doret. This print was possibly cut out of a magazine or newspaper. The replica was made right after the discovery of the actual tomb work was begun in the 1920's. It was most likely hand made by Swiss-born American named Claire Doret, probably under the pseudonym of Hygia May. Claire Doret had moved to Los Angeles from Switzerland in 1920 to work as a dental technician—making her the first female in her profession on the West Coast. A true Renaissance woman, Claire enjoyed painting, sculpting, wood carving and making jewelry. On November 4, 1922 archaeologist Howard Carter uncovered the front steps of a tomb in an Egyptian desert valley. The door to the tomb was intact and sealed with symbols from Ancient Egypt’s Eighteenth Dynasty. Tutankhamun was less famous for his accomplishments in life than for the unplundered status of his tomb. His most significant act was to return Egypt’s religion back to its original orthodoxy after it had been coopted into a vehicle for self-aggrandizement by his father. This replica of the innermost sarcophagus of King Tut was perhaps made of ceramic using Claire Doret’s dental tools, which she used on other known sarcophagus replicas.
On View
Not on view
20th century
19th Century
c. 1750
