Germinating Osiris Brick

Third Intermediate or Late Period
ca. 1100–300 B.C.
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 130
Beginning in Dynasty 18, beds were made on which soil was molded into the shape of the god of regeneration and ruler of the dead, Osiris. Thickly sown with grain and kept moist until the grain sprouted and grew, then left to dry again, these figures were created as part of a ritual carried out in association with the Osirian Festival of Khoiak. They magically expressed the concept of life springing from death, symbolizing the resurrection of Osiris. Some examples are also seen in tomb contexts, as the deceased was identified with this god.

In later periods, pottery Osiris bricks were most likely used during the Khoiak Festival as planters; this example was empty, but others contained soil mixed with cereal grains and linen. Here Osiris is shown in his typical form as a mummy, wearing the tall crown of Upper Egypt flanked by ostrich plumes representing the proper order of the Egyptian world. In his hands he holds the crook and flail of kingship.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Germinating Osiris Brick
  • Period: Third Intermediate or Late Period
  • Date: ca. 1100–300 B.C.
  • Geography: From Egypt; Said to be from Upper Egypt, Thebes
  • Medium: Pottery
  • Dimensions: L. 24.3 × W. 10.6 × H. 6 cm (9 9/16 × 4 3/16 × 2 3/8 in.)
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1920
  • Object Number: 20.2.30
  • Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art

More Artwork

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.