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Mummiform Figure of Osiris

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

MEDIUM Wood, stucco, pigment, linen, plant material
  • Reportedly From: Thebes, Egypt
  • DATES 664-332 B.C.E.
    DYNASTY Dynasty 26, or later
    PERIOD Late Period (probably)
    DIMENSIONS 27 15/16 x 3 9/16 x 6 5/16 in. (71 x 9 x 16 cm)  (show scale)
    ACCESSION NUMBER 37.1480Ea-c
    CREDIT LINE Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
    CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION One two piece wooden mummiform figure of Osiris wearing the atef, standing upon a rectangular plinth. The wooden figure, a votive container for either a papyrus roll or a fetish, has a detachable atef. The entire surface is gesso coated and once bore a brilliant polychromy. The figure wears a tripartite wig and typical beard-both rendered in black. Beneath this a large broad collar is seen, ending in falcon head terminals. From the end of this an inscription band of three vertical registers runs to the foot. The rest of the figure is painted in imitation of a mummy bead network. The horns of the atef are surmounted by the solar disc and two shu feathers. The face is summarily modelled and the eyes and eyebrows painted in black. Condition: Some great losses of gesso and paint have occurred. Specifically at the back. Two losses are noted in the broad collar area of the front and a third farther down at the right hand side of the hieroglyph band. A similar fairly extensive loss occurred on the left, near the foot. This loss has carried over into the inscription. An area of loss is noted on the foot. The plinth is basically denuded of gesso, as are the feathers of the atef. The face has suffered gesso losses on both cheeks. The wig also has been disrupted by such losses. The remaining gesso is laced with a network of cracks. The colors of blue, black, red and green are almost all dulled and faded to muddy browns and blacks.
    MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view
    CAPTION Mummiform Figure of Osiris, 664-332 B.C.E. Wood, stucco, pigment, linen, plant material, 27 15/16 x 3 9/16 x 6 5/16 in. (71 x 9 x 16 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 37.1480Ea-c. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , CUR.37.1480Ea-c_view12.jpg)
    IMAGE overall, CUR.37.1480Ea-c_view12.jpg., 2018
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    RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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