Lot 13
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Egypt, Late Dynastic Period, 26th Dynasty, ca. 664 to 525 BCE. An exemplary and quite sizable leaded bronze statue depicting the revered deity Osiris, god of the underworld, who stands in mummiform with fused legs atop an integral, tiered plinth. Covered in layers of green and brown patina with areas of russet as well, Osiris presents wearing a wesekh broad collar beneath a postiche beard and holds his signature heka scepter and flagellum (nekhakh) in staggered hands atop his abdomen. His stylized countenance exhibits almond-shaped eyes with elongated canthi, a protruding nose above full lips, and tall ears. Capping his brow is an Atef crown, which combines the ostrich feathers of the cult of Osiris with the Hedjet, the symbol of Upper Egypt, with the sacred and divine uraeus cobra projecting from the front. This would have been a votive figure, perhaps made to be kept in a wealthy home and prayed to, deposited in a temple as an offering, or, most likely, kept for ritual with other metallic objects by priests. Size: 3" W x 13" H (7.6 cm x 33 cm)
Osiris is one of the most revered gods in Egyptian civilization and is sometimes referred to as the son of Ra, the sun god, and father of the falcon-headed god Horus. In hieroglyphs Osiris is often depicted with green skin, evocative of his role in the afterlife; or with brown skin, indicating an associated also with fertility, in this case the mud of the Nile, whose seasonal flood was the most important natural event in ancient Egypt.
Cf. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession numbers 04.2.440 and 74.51.5584
Provenance: private Los Angeles, California, USA collection, acquired before 2000
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#179422
- Condition: Area of loss to front of plinth. Age-expected weathering with some minor chips, nicks, and abrasions to surface as shown. Otherwise, mostly intact and excellent. Truly impressive remaining detail. Lovely green patina in areas.
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| $300 | $999 | $50 |
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| $2,000 | $4,999 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
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| $100,000 | $199,999 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 + | $20,000 |