Egyptian Bronze Amulet - Standing Osiris

Ancient Egypt, Late Dynastic Period, 26th to 31st Dynasty, ca. 664 to 332 BCE. A striking cast leaded-bronze mummiform figure; a beautiful representation of Osiris, the god of the Underworld. Osiris is presented here in splendid condition with a deep green patina, a long thin postiche beard, and a broad collar. Osiris stands with arms across his body, holding a highly detailed crook and flail. He wears the Atef crown, which combines the ostrich feathers of the cult of Osiris with the Hedjet, the symbol of Upper Egypt, with the sacred uraeus cobra, depicted on its frontal area, a symbol of royal divinity. His serene countenance presents almond-shaped eyes with thick lids and elongated canthi, flared nostrils, full lips, and cupped ears. This would have been a votive figure, perhaps made to be kept in a wealthy home and prayed to, deposited in a temple as an offering, or, most likely, kept for ritual with other metallic objects by priests. Size: 1.1" W x 4" H (2.8 cm x 10.2 cm); 4.6" H (11.7 cm) on included custom stand.

Osiris is one of the most revered gods in Egyptian civilization and is sometimes referred to as the son of Ra, the sun god, and father of the falcon-headed god Horus. In hieroglyphs Osiris is often depicted with green skin, evocative of his role in the afterlife; or with brown skin, indicating an associated also with fertility, in this case the mud of the Nile, whose seasonal flood was the most important natural event in ancient Egypt.

Provenance: private Toronto, Ontario, Canada collection, by descent, acquired in Egypt in 1894 to 1896

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#167107
Condition Report: Some abrasions and softening of detail. Otherwise, intact and excellent with nice patina.