Loading, please wait...
Details
LOT 0033
Egyptian Bronze Statuette of Osiris
LATE PERIOD, 664-525 B.C.
3 5/8 in. (74 grams, 92 mm).
Modelled in the round wearing the atef crown with a uraeus to the brow, arms crossed on the chest holding the nekhakha (flail) and heka (crook); loop to rear of the neck; feet absent and damage to left shoulder revealing original lead core.
Provenance
Acquired on the German art market, 1989-1995.
with The Museum Gallery, 19 Bury Place, London, WC1, UK, 1998-2003.
Property of a London based academic, 2003-present.
Literature
Cf. Daressy, G., Catalogue général des antiquités égyptiennes du Musée du Caire N° 38001-39384 Statues de divinités, Cairo, 1906, pl. XVIII, no. 38.275, for a comparable figure.
Footnotes
Osiris was a deity who represents death and fertility and is commonly regarded as the quintessential god of rebirth. Though he was once a mortal ruler, as a deceased entity, his domain was the Underworld. Small figurines like this example were dedicated to the god to ensure his good favour.
CONDITIONVETTING:
TimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.
RELATED LOTS
-
Large Egyptian Bead Panel with Four Sons of Horus and Winged Scarab
Ptolemaic Period, 332-30 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
Restrung as an openwork panel with a winged scarab above and the Four Sons of Horus below as two opposing pairs; restrung with some later beads. 33 grams, 14 cm
Ex Mariaud de Serres, Paris, France, 1980-1990s. From a London, UK, collection.
The Four Sons of Horus were deities responsible for protecting the internal organs of the deceased. The human-headed Imsety protected the liver, the baboon-headed Hapy protected the lungs, the jackal-headed Duamutef protected the stomach, and the falcon-headed Qebehsenuef protected the intestines. -
Egyptian Faience Shabti and Amulet Group
Late Period-Ptolemaic Period, 664-30 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £78
Two mummiform shabti figurines, one faded pale green and the other bright turquoise; one amuletic figurine, possibly of a ram or baboon-headed deity with sun disk headdress, applied black pigment detailing. 20 grams total, 41-65 mm
From the H.N. collection, Milton Keynes, Berkshire, UK, 1990s.
Shabti figures were created to carry out heavy manual tasks on behalf of a person in the afterlife. From the Third Intermediate Period into the Late Period burials were often provided with several hundred shabtis. -
Egyptian Hardstone Fly Amulet
Late Period, 664-332 A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
With linear detailing to body and wings, pierced at the neck. 0.38 grams, 12 mm
From the H.N. collection, Milton Keynes, Berkshire, UK, 1990s.
Fly amulets were believed to protect against insect bites and ward off flying creatures through apotropaic magic. Additionally, the pharaoh would give gold fly-shaped pendants as military awards to recognise the bravery and persistence of soldiers in battle.
