Head from a figure of Osiris
This head is from a statuette of Osiris, principal god of the afterlife and ruler of the Netherworld. The deity is shown wearing his typical "atef" crown, a tall crown flanked by ram's horns and ostrich plumes and protected by a hooding cobra. His face is placid and his serene affect enhanced by a slight smile. Only the very top of his false beard and the straps that would have held it in place are preserved. The tip of the crown, as well as the tops of the feathers and the tips of the horns that flanked it are gone, and the head has been broken away from the body.
Numerous statues and statuettes of Osiris were offered as votives, for the most part in temples and shrines, but also in contexts where their function is unclear. The vast majority of these were of bronze or copper alloy, making this stone figure an unusual example of its type.
Numerous statues and statuettes of Osiris were offered as votives, for the most part in temples and shrines, but also in contexts where their function is unclear. The vast majority of these were of bronze or copper alloy, making this stone figure an unusual example of its type.
Artwork Details
- Title: Head from a figure of Osiris
- Period: Late Period (Saite)
- Dynasty: Dynasty 26
- Date: ca. 664–525 B.C.
- Geography: From Egypt
- Medium: Graywacke (?)
- Dimensions: H. 8.6 × W. 5.2 × D. 4.3 cm (3 3/8 × 2 1/16 × 1 11/16 in.)
- Credit Line: Bequest of Nanette B. Kelekian, 2020
- Object Number: 2021.41.3
- Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art
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380–343 B.C.
285–246 B.C.
5th–4th century B.C.
525–404 B.C.
595–526 B.C.
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