Each side is divided in three registers, each register containing a dedication in the name of the deceased, or representations of objects belonging to him, or such texts from the Ritual as need to be repeated for his benefit.
Skilfully composed, and painted upon a background made to imitate some precious wood, the whole forms a boldly-designed and harmoniously-coloured picture.

The cabinet-maker's share of the work was the lightest, and the long boxes in which the dead of the earliest period were buried made no great demand upon his skill.

This, however, was not the case when in later times the sarcophagus came to be fashioned in the likeness of the human body.

Of this style we have two leading types.

In the most ancient, the mummy serves as the model for his case.