Analysis and Conservation of Two Post-Pharaonic Burial Shrouds in the Collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum

The Victoria and Albert Museum in London has two ancient Egyptian painted burial shrouds in its collection. Both dating to between the 1st century BCE and early 2nd century CE, they were examined and conserved in preparation for display in the 2025 exhibition ‘Making Egypt’. A nearly intact shroud depicts a woman in the form of Hathor, whilst an incomplete shroud depicts a man as Osiris. Both shrouds would have been placed over mummified bodies, likening the deceased to deities associated with death, and therefore ensuring their place in the afterlife. Both acquired in 1900, the shrouds underwent adhesive lining treatments in the 1970s, and required further intervention in 2024 to make them suitable for display and subsequent long-term storage. Analysis was undertaken to understand their creation process, identify the pigments used, and investigate whether there is evidence of modern interventions. Methods included technical photography (under visible and ultraviolet illumination), digital microscopy, infrared reflectography (IRR), scanning X-ray fluorescence imaging (XRF) and Raman microscopy. This aimed to characterise the artists’ materials, determine the presence of modern pigments, and identify historic pesticide treatments. In preparation for display, the full shroud underwent a complete conservation re-treatment. The smaller shroud fragment underwent supplementary conservation. Both were then framed and glazed for display and future long-term storage.