Ceremonial helmet? / funerary crown? inscribed for the Osiris Hor-Psamtik
Late Period
Generally described as a helmet because of a very general resemblance to Assyrian helmets of this time, this piece was created in relatively fragile faience and is unlikely to be intended for actual battle. Another possibility is that it is a squat approximation of an Egyptian white crown, typically worn by Osiris along with the kings. The purpose must be ceremonial and / or funerary, although nothing similar is known, nor is the practice of supplying life-size faience funerary accessories documented. However, the helmet / crown was represented to its collector in the late 1800s as having been found on a mummy, and conservation and technical examination supports this representation. This determination reveals an unknown practice.
The headgear bears an unusual name - Hor-Psamtik, or Psamtik is Horus - that points to the owner having lived during or near the reign of one of the three Psamtik's of the 26th dynasty.
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