Large Egyptian Statuette of Osiris

Late Period, 26th-30th Dynasty, 664-343 BC. A bronze mummiform figure of Osiris, arms crossed at the chest, holding crook and flail with highlighted features, fine semi-naturalistic detailing to the face and ears, wearing false beard and Atef crown with uraeus, detailing to the snake's head and body; tapering rectangular-section lug to soles of feet for attachment; mounted on a custom-made display stand. Cf. The Metropolitan Museum, accession number 56.16.2, for a comparable 26th Dynasty example; Museo Stibbert, Florence, statuette Inv. n. 11169; Del Francia, P. R., 'Le antichità egizie' in AA. VV., 'Frederick Stibbert, gentiluomo, collezionista e sognatore, Rivista del Museo Stibbert 3, Firenze, 2000, p.90, n.3, pl.20; see Robins, G., Egyptian Shabtis, Shire Egyptology 26, Princes Risborough, 2001, pp.19. 1.2 kg total, 37.5cm including stand (14 3/4"). From an important London W1, collection; acquired from Baidun Fine Antiquities, Jerusalem, Israel; ex French private collection (French passport no.137448), acquired circa 1970; accompanied by a copy of an certificate of authenticity from Baidun Fine Antiquities and an academic report by Dr Alberto Maria Pollastrini; this lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by AIAD certificate number no.11009-181279. The god Osiris is most often represented as a shrouded mummy, emphasising his connection with the dead and the otherworld. During the first millennium BC, Osiris became one of the most popular gods of the Egyptian pantheon. For this reason, a huge amount of bronze statuettes representing Osiris were made and used as votive offerings. [A video of this lot is available to view on Timeline Auctions Website]
Condition Report: Very fine condition.