|
At first glance, this bronze statuette of Osiris
appears to be very unassuming. The god of
the
Hereafter is represented in the time-honored
manner as a figure standing upon an integral
base from which protrudes a tang for
insertion
into a now-missing base. We can, therefore,
suggest that this figure was part of a larger
group
composition which may have included a
depiction
of an elite member of Egyptian society, in
smaller
scale, kneeling in obeisance before this god.
Osiris is represented as a mummiform figure
with
his hands protruding from beneath his
stylized
mummy bandages in order to hold the crook
and
flail, his traditional attributes. His accessories
include a plaited beard which slips down
under
his chin and an atef-crown, the White Crown
of
which is flanked on each side by a single
ostrich
feature representing “truth.” This crown is
fronted by a uraeus, or sacred cobra.
This object is separated from more routine
depictions of Osiris in bronze by the
attention
paid to the depiction on its back. There in
raised
relief, is a depiction of his sister and wife,
Isis,
facing right. She is shown standing on a tall,
reticulated base, perhaps intended to
suggest her
throne. Her striated headdress supports her
attribute in the form of a pair of cow’s horns
framing a solar disc. Her tightly fitting sheath
is
ornamented with linear detail, suggesting the
pattern textile from which it was woven. She
is
equipped with wings which she spreads out
over
the back of her husband in an eternal
gesture of
protection. Such depictions are exceedingly
rare
in the repertoire of ancient Egyptian bronze
representations of Osiris, but a good parallel
is
provided by a similarly designed statuette in
a
private collection in Belgium. On the basis of
their
styles, such images can be dated to the Late
Period.
References:
For the example in Belgium, see, J. F. and L.
Aubert, Bronzes et or Egyptiens (Paris 2001),
pages 215 and 446, plate 30.
Description and interpretation kindly
provided by
Prof. Robert S. Bianchi.
- (LO.1033)
|
