Osiris Figure

The mummiform body, with fisted hands emerging from the wrappings, long curled beard, and tall crown flanked by ostrich plumes, identify this figure as Osiris, principal god of the dead. This was one of six similar statuettes found in an undecorated tomb (MMA 60) near the Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el Bahri. This tomb contained the coffins, mummies, and associated funerary goods of twelve female and male members of the family that controlled the Theban area during Dynasty 21.

Only the highest-status individuals (all of whom were women) buried in Tomb MMA 60 were allotted these figures. This one belonged to Henettawy, daughter of Painedjem I, the High Priest of Amun, whose name appears in a royal cartouche on her coffins. Henettawy herself was a priestess in the cult of the Theban triad of Amun, his wife Mut, and their son Khonsu. In addition to her title of Mistress of the House (likely indicating that she was married), she was a Chantress of Amun and a Flutist of the Choir of Mut.

Henettawy's figure contained two papyri, rolled up together and inserted through a hole in the base into the cylindrical chamber that had been hollowed out in the body. Now in Cairo, these are "Amduat" papyri illustrating the Netherworld, the realm of Osiris. This is unusual, as most Osiris figures of this type contained "Book of the Dead" papyri (see 25.3.32).

Also unusual is the white exterior of this figure, as most examples of this type have been coated wtih black varnish. This may indicate that it was unfinished.