Egyptian Granite Seated Figure Representing Osiris

Middle Kingdom, circa 1800 B.C. Fragment of a statue of an official, comprising the torso and legs clad in an ankle-length robe and seated on a rectangular-section seat with stepped base and short, curved backrest and rear dorsal pillar; the left hand carved with the hand palm-downwards placed flat along the thigh; the right hand similarly placed but with the hand gripping a folded piece of cloth of which the ends are draped over the lower thigh above the knee; traces of an old label to reverse. Cf. Habachi, L., Elephantine IV: The Sanctuary of Heqaib II, pls. 39-41, for a complete statue from the time of Amenemhat II- Senwosret II with similar treatment of the lower portion of the garment; Oppenheim, A., et al (eds.), Ancient Egypt Transformed: The Middle Kingdom, pp.128-130, cat. 63, for an official from the reign of Senwosret III wearing a longer cloak-like garment and seated on a similarly shaped seat. 4.1 kg, 18.7 cm (7 3/8 in.). (For this specific lot, 5% import VAT is applicable on the hammer price.)

Private collection, Europe. with Bonham's & Brooks, 8th November 2001, no.265. Private collection, Europe. Accompanied by copies of the relevant Bonham's & Brooks catalogue pages.

The official would have been shown wearing a longer cloak-like garment rather than a waist-height kilt, as the line of the folded edge is visible above where a waistband would typically be.

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