Osiris Figurine
Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art
Mummiform figurines like this one usually represent a combination of the gods Ptah and Sokar with Osiris. The two other gods were combined with Osiris during the last millennium of Egyptian culture, merging solar and afterlife beliefs into one deity. The hollow compartment on the base of the statuette held a papyrus containing protective spells from the Book of the Dead, a group of texts that helped ensure the deceased person’s success in the afterlife. The green face is a symbol of fertility, regeneration, and rebirth.
MEDIUM
Wood, pigment
DATES
after 305 B.C.E.
PERIOD
Ptolemaic Period (or later)
DIMENSIONS
15 x 3 1/2 x 9 in. (38.1 x 8.9 x 22.9 cm)
(show scale)
ACCESSION NUMBER
08.480.203
CREDIT LINE
Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION
Painted wooden, mummiform figure, standing on oblong base with cavity for small papyrus. Column of painted hieroglyphs down front and back of figure. Body dark red, details in buff, blue and black. Inscription dedicated in T3-n'iw.t-'imn(?)
Condition: Cover of cavity and contents missing. Paint missing in various sections, particularly on back. Crude work, inscription very badly written. Name probably an abbreviation as this form does not appear to be known.
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is not on view
CAPTION
Osiris Figurine, after 305 B.C.E. Wood, pigment, 15 x 3 1/2 x 9 in. (38.1 x 8.9 x 22.9 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 08.480.203. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.08.480.203_wwgA-2.jpg)
IMAGE
installation, West Wing gallery A-2 installation,
CUR.08.480.203_wwgA-2.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2005
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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