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LOT 0029
Egyptian Bronze Statuette of Osiris
LATE PERIOD, 664-332 B.C.
5 7/8 in. (63 grams, 15 cm).
A slender standing figure of Osiris in iconic mummiform appearance, wearing the tall conical Atef crown with its flanking Ostrich plumes, and central uraeus, a long, internally-detailed divine beard, and holding the crook (heka) and flail (nekhakha) regalia; with tang under feet for attachment.
ProvenanceAcquired 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.
Cf. Tinius, I., Altägypten in Braunschweig. Die Sammlungen des Herzog Anton Ulrich-Museums und des Städtischen Museums, Wiesbaden, 2011, p.107, no. 161, for a similar example from Aswan.
FootnotesOsiris is 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. Abydos was the primary centre of Osiris’ cult, where a renowned yearly celebration of the god was held.
CONDITIONTimeLine 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:
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Egypto-Phoenician Stone Scaraboid Group
1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £52
One has an incuse falcon representing the god Re-Horakhty on the underside, the other in mottled hardstone. 4.69 grams total, 13-18 mm
From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent. -
Large Egyptian Blue Glazed Hieroglyphic Shabti
26th Dynasty, 664-525 B.C.Estimate: £1,500 - 2,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £700
Of mummiform type, wearing a tripartite wig and long plaited divine beard, with arms crossed and the left hand holding a pick, the right hand holding a hoe and the cord of a seed bag hanging over his left shoulder; with carefully rendered cosmetic lines around the eyes, narrow eyebrows, and slightly smiling lips giving it a serene expression characteristic of the finest ushabtis of the period; standing on an integral plinth from which a plain back pillar terminating at the base of the wig extends; nine horizontal rows of hieroglyphic inscription, the Sixth Chapter of the Book of the Dead; water worn. 246 grams, 19 cm
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.
Shabti figures could serve as a representation of the deceased and paradoxically also as their servant to carry out arduous manual tasks in the afterlife on behalf of their master. Late Period shabtis were most frequently made of faience, such as this example. The body of a shabti was usually in the form of a mummy from the neck down, depicted with agricultural tools in their hands, such as picks, hoes, and baskets. Chapter 6 from the Book of the Dead, lists the tasks expected of the magical figure. By the Late Period, hundreds of shabtis were often provided for the burial. -
Egyptian Limestone 'Floral' Inlay Group
Roman Period, 30 B.C.-323 A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £26
Group of discoid inlay plaques or gaming counters, crinoids with cinquefoil motif. 36 grams total, 11-18 mm
From a central London ADA dealership, 1980-1990.