Osiris - Egyptian statue / sculpture - God of the afterlife & beloved of Isis. Egyptian mythology

Osiris

Dimensions :-

Height including stand - 11.5 cm / 4-1/2 inches

Stand length - 5 cm / 2 inches

Stand width - 4 cm / 1-5/8 inches

On offer this week is another exclusive format Osiris statue replica. It is an unusual variant of the statue type with not only a loop on the back for attachment to a necklace or cloak but also on one side near the ankles. This extra attachment loop suggests it was worn on a garment either in life or sewn into the wrappings of a mummy. Faint traces of hieroglyphs can be seen on the rear support pillar.

Of particular interest is the face which is rather rounded and entirely charming. It has a similarity to the small and famous seated statue of Khufu - the builder of the great pyramid during the 4th dynasty. This statue is widely publicized in dramatic and ironic fashion to be the only surviving image of that King. For a builder of the only survivor of the seven wonders of the world it is indeed surprising that only one inscribed statue is known, however, uninscribed fragments are in contention for evidence of the facial style of Khufu. One large head in the Brooklyn museum is very likely to be this king and another, recently discovered during excavations at Heliopolis, also a considerably large statue, shares this distinctive rounded facial style that belongs to no other king of the 4th dynasty.

So my point is, late period statues of which the current statue on offer is a fine replica, often tended to look back in time at the surviving images of great ancient kings. The late period artists often imbued their statuary with the chosen face of a great King such as Thutmose III who was a popular subject during the 26th dynasty centuries after his reign had already turned into legend. His face was often recreated in an updated form and transposed onto statuary because he was technically regarded as a legendary king who ushered in Egypt's true golden age of influence and power.

In the same respect it is thus possible Khufu had the same impact on the ancient artists. The population must have compared their own less prosperous era to the time of the colossal achievements of the pyramid age and the Kings who built them. Perhaps the artists hoped a little of the ancient king's power could transcend into their own age and prop up a declining Egypt.
Does the facial type known of Khufu live on in the statue on offer ? It is possible and at the very least, something to think about when appreciating the artwork and his distinctive wide smile.

Made of a limestone and quartzite composition stone, Osiris has been given a realistic aged slate black patina and has been mounted on a polished felt based stand.

Background information

The ultimate destination for Ancient Egyptians was the 'great garden' , the Elysian fields of Osiris. Images of the god Osiris were added to tomb walls, either painted and / or carved to invoke the protective and guiding spirit of Osiris. The most noble examples of tomb construction had statues of the god carved into the living rock of the tomb to give tangible form to the god.

In later periods when the tomb size diminished or became just the coffin itself as part of a mass burial, small statues such as the one on offer were included in the burial to invoke the good grace of Osiris and guide the deceased into his care.

In addition, statues of this type were bought or commissioned by the living for a temple offering or for domestic use in the home. The statue could pass down through the family for use by the next generation.

A great quantity of Osiris statues were made during the late period and the most recent examples have been found 6 1/2 kilometres off the coast of the Nile delta at the sunken location of the city of Heracleion.

*As each item is handmade, slight colour variations may occur.