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

Accession Number: 10.175.133

Description

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.

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