ticketsMember | Make a donation

Osiris inscribed for Harkhebit, son of Padikhonsu and Isetempermes

Late Period–Ptolemaic Period
600–300 BC
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 134
During the first millennium B.C. Osiris’s cult became dominant and was observed in seemingly every temple in the land. This large Osiris was dedicated somewhere at Memphis. After a period, which might even be hundreds of years, it was removed with other figures – including 10.175.131, .132 and .134 - for respectful burial within the temple precincts.

The statue's facial features - upturned eyes and a small curved mouth - recall early to mid-Saite Period style. Various factors need consideration, but it may be that this statue, like the statue of Nefertum 10.175.131 that has similar features, dates to a period long before it was cached away, probably sometime in the fourth or third century.

The name of the dedicator's mother means Isis-is-in-the-birth-house and she gave her son, the dedicator, a name meaning Horus-is-in-the-marshes, referring to Isis giving birth to Horus and concealing him in the marshes during his infancy.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Osiris inscribed for Harkhebit, son of Padikhonsu and Isetempermes
  • Period: Late Period–Ptolemaic Period
  • Date: 600–300 BC
  • Geography: From Egypt, Memphite Region, Memphis (Mit Rahina), Egyptian Antiquities Service, found July 1909
  • Medium: Bronze, silver
  • Dimensions: H. 76 cm (29 15/16 in.); H. without tang 72 cm (28 3/8 in.); W. 22.3 cm (8 3/4 in.); D. 18.5 cm (7 5/16 in.)
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1910
  • Object Number: 10.175.133
  • Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Relief from the Palace of Apries in Memphis, Limestone
Relief from the Palace of Apries in Memphis
589–570 B.C.
Nefertum, cupreous metal, black bronze and precious metal inlay, glass
Nefertum
664–30 BCE
Statuette of Imhotep, Cupreous metal
Statuette of Imhotep
664–30 B.C.
The General Tjahapimu, Metagraywacke
The General Tjahapimu
360–343 B.C.
Arrow point, Apries, Bronze or copper alloy
Arrow point, Apries
589–570 B.C.

Related Content

Timeline of Art History

Entries from The Met's art encyclopedia.

Publications

Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.