Description
A substantial bronze statuette representing Osiris, one of the most important deities of ancient Egypt and god of the afterlife, resurrection, regeneration and the eternal kingship of the deceased.
The god is depicted in his canonical mummiform form, standing rigidly frontal with the body enveloped in a close-fitting funerary garment. His forearms emerge across the upper body, the hands brought together at the chest in the traditional Osirian pose. The elongated, columnar body terminates below in a projecting tang, intended to secure the figure into an ancient base or shrine.
Osiris wears his characteristic Atef crown, composed of the tall central White Crown flanked by lateral elements. The crown, together with the mummiform body and crossed arms, provides a secure identification of the figure as Osiris. The face is dominated by the deity’s long ceremonial beard, emphasizing his divine and royal character.
The figure is cast in bronze and exhibits an extensive ancient surface with areas of green, blue-green, brown and reddish cuprous patination and mineral encrustation. Particularly striking are the varied surface deposits across the crown, face, torso and lower body. The reverse is comparatively plain, as is frequently encountered on bronze votive figures intended principally for frontal viewing.
Bronze images of Osiris were produced in considerable numbers during the first millennium BC, particularly during the Late Period and Ptolemaic era. They were dedicated in temples and sacred precincts as votive offerings and embodied the worshipper’s association with Osiris and the promise of regeneration after death. The cult of Osiris became increasingly prominent during this period, and bronze representations of the god range from small personal votives to considerably larger and more elaborate temple dedications.
The present example is distinguished by its elongated proportions, pronounced Atef crown, strongly projecting arms and surviving integral mounting tang. Its frontal monumentality, despite its relatively small scale, closely follows the established iconography through which Osiris was represented for cent
REFERENCE #
SI_EG_1006
CIVILIZATION
Egyptian, Late Ptolemaic Period, circa 664–30 BC
SIZE
H. 19 cm
CONDITION
Complete or substantially complete, with wear and localized losses to the surface and details consistent with age. Extensive mineral encrustation and variegated green, blue-green, brown and reddish patination throughout.
PRICE
$1800
PROVENANCE
Jerusalem private collection
