Egyptian Bronze Osiris Statuette

Proof etching on laid paper of plate 6 from Description de l'egypte entitled Île de Philae. Coupe et élévation de la galerie de l'est. Élévations des deux colonnades et de l'édifice du sud. Élévation du premier pylône. 252 grams, 104 x 68.5 cm



From the collection of a North American priest. Acquired between 1981-1996. Property of a North American collector.

Produced between February 1802 and 1830 on the orders of Napoleon Bonaparte; published between 1809 and 1828. Just 1,000 copies were distributed to various institutions, printed on laid paper with an 'Égypte ancienne et moderne' watermark. The book is subtitled Recueil des observations et des recherches qui ont été faites en Égypte pendant l’expédition de l’Armée française, publié par les ordres de Sa Majesté l’Empereur Napoléon le Grand (Gathering of observations and discoveries which were made in Egypt during the expedition of the French army, published on the orders of His Majesty the Emperor Napoleon the Great). It was the world's first encyclopedia devoted exclusively to the remains of ancient Egypt. The plates of this book are the first to present the archaeological sites of Thebes (Luxor). The Philae temple complex was one of the major monuments dismantled from its original location and relocated to a new site during the Aswan High Dam project. Most of the complex dates to the Ptolemaic Period, although some earlier and later elements remain.

A slender standing figure of Osiris in iconic mummiform appearance, wearing the tall conical Atef crown with its flanking ostrich plumes, and central uraeus, holding the crook (heka) and flail (nekhakha) regalia; suspension loop on the reverse. 47.3 grams, 76 mm



Acquired on the UK art market in the 1970s. Private collection, UK.

Discoid in plan with impressed seal, profile bust of Hadrian placed to one side. 4.89 grams, 24 mm



Acquired on the UK art market before 2000. Property of an Essex, UK, gentleman.