Collection
/
Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

Statue of Osiris

664–525 B.C.E., or later

1 of 7

Caption

Statue of Osiris, 664–525 B.C.E., or later. Bronze, 8 1/8 x 2 1/16 x 2 1/4 in. (20.6 x 5.2 x 5.7 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 37.372E. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum)

Gallery

Not on view

Title

Statue of Osiris

Date

664–525 B.C.E., or later

Dynasty

Dynasty 26, or later

Period

Late Period

Geography

Place made: Egypt

Medium

Bronze

Classification

Sculpture

Dimensions

8 1/8 x 2 1/16 x 2 1/4 in. (20.6 x 5.2 x 5.7 cm)

Credit Line

Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund

Accession Number

37.372E

Frequent Art Questions

  • What was so symbolic about snakes?

    The cobra on this headdress, known as a uraeus, served an apotropaic or protective purpose. Because many snakes are poisonous, they were known to be dangerous and thus were associated with negatives characters such as the demon, Apophis. At the same time, the snake's power was used in mythology for protection and associated with protective goddesses like Wadjet and Maat.

  • What is this?

    The statue higher up is of Isis nursing the child Horus, while the lower statue is one of Osiris who was Isis's husband and Horus's father. Together, the three form an archetypal family in ancient Egyptian beliefs.

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