Lot 3B


Ancient Egypt, Third Intermediate Period, 21st to 22nd Dynasty, ca. 1070 to 712 BCE. A magnificent hollow-cast bronze bust of Osiris, the revered Egyptian god of the underworld and eternal life. This composite figure presents Osiris in his iconic form, with hands crossed over his chest, grasping a crook and flail - symbols of kingship and authority. The implements, once inlaid with precious stones, glass, or metals, retain several recessed grooves hinting at their original opulence. Osiris wears a finely detailed, multi-stranded broad collar featuring incised patterns of beads, frets, and teardrop motifs. His serene, stylized face exhibits almond-shaped eyes with elongated canthi, a refined nose, and a tranquil mouth. Remarkably, a fragment of cornflower-blue glass remains in the left eye socket, while traces of gilding and paste glass adorn the chin strap and right eye corner. Small tabs atop his head indicate where a separately cast crown would have been attached. Size: 6" W x 7.25" H (15.2 cm x 18.4 cm); 11.7" H (29.7 cm) on included custom stand.
For a face of Osiris from a composite statue, preserving similar inlays, please see von Bothmer, et al. "Antiquities from the Collection of Christos G. Bastis." Verlag P. von Zabern, 1987, pp 33-34, no. 9.
A stylistically-similar example of a pharaoh as Osiris - with no broad collar, crook and flail, or inlaid glass - hammered for $83,650 at Christie's, New York "The Morven Collection of Ancient Art" auction (sale 1466, June 8, 2004, lot 553): https://www.christies.com/lotfinder/lot/an-egyptian-gilt-bronze-bust-of-a-4287596-details.aspx?from=searchresults&intObjectID=4287596&sid=a61852ac-5eb8-4fa2-9292-b6cc683de83c
This piece has been tested using thermoluminescence (TL) analysis and has been found to be ancient and of the period stated. A full report will accompany purchase.
Provenance: East Coast collection, New York Gallery, New York City, New York, USA; ex-Artemis Gallery; ex-private East Coast, USA collection; ex-Christie's, New York Antiquities auction (sale 2605, December 5, 2012, lot 126); ex-Christie's, New York Antiquities auction (sale 2232, December 11, 2009, lot 16); ex-Galerie Heinz Herzer, Munich, Germany, acquired in 1978
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#190284
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Condition:
- This is a fragment of a larger composite figure. Small fissure on back of left shoulder. Original crown and false beard missing. Losses to verso, lower body, inlays on crook and flail, glass and paste glass inlays, and gilding as shown. Softening to incised broad collar and facial details, with fading to gilded areas, and light encrustations. Nice earthen deposits as well as fabulous green and brown patina throughout. One TL drill hole inside of head.
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