Egyptian Osiris Mummy : Ptah Sokar Osiris Statue Wood

Click HERE for our other AUCTIONS


Egyptian Osiris Mummy : Ptah Sokar Osiris Statue

Here you find a rare and large wooden Osiris mummy a sort of Ptah-Sokar-Osiris statue. The figure of the god is mummiform, with a dark brown wig with yellow highlights and elaborate garland collar with falcon terminals. The face is very detailed and expressive. These elements emphasize the divine nature of the god as a symbol of resurrection. The lower body of the statuette is black, with an inscription painted in yellow similar to the wig. We have thus far translated the hieroglyphs as Hetep-di-Nesut, "An Offering Given by the King."" A more detailed translation is being conducted by the Royal Ontario Museum.

This figure would have been mounted on a base with a Sokar hawk surrounding it, however now not present. The base of this funerary figure would often contain the copy of the deceased's Book of the Dead. This was a very important figure; Osiris represented the power of regeneration and resurrection. The god Osiris became very important during the Late Period when this box was probably made, circa 746 B.C. It is well preserved with some minor splitting of the wood. Measures: 11.75 inches in height.

For reference see: J.H. Taylor, Death and Afterlife in ancient (London, The British Museum Press, 2001)

Provenance: Private US collection.