Late Period, 664-525 B.C. Modelled in the round wearing the Atef crown with a uraeus to the brow, arms crossed on the chest holding the nekhakha (flail) and heka (crook); trapezoidal base with long tenon beneath. Cf. Tinius, I., Altägypten in Braunschweig. Die Sammlungen des Herzog Anton Ulrich-Museums und des Städtischen Museums, Wiesbaden, 2011, p.104, no. 152, for similar. 136 grams, 14 cm (5 1/2 in.).

Acquired on the German art market, 1989-1995. with The Museum Gallery, 19 Bury Place, London, WC1, UK, 1998-2003. Property of a London based academic, 2003-present.

Osiris is a deity who represents death and fertility and is commonly regarded as the quintessential god of rebirth. Though he was once a mortal ruler, as a deceased entity, his domain was the Underworld. Abydos was the primary centre of Osiris’ cult, where a renowned yearly celebration of the god was held. Many small figurines like this were dedicated to the god at temples throughout Egypt.