Painted fragment (ostracon) of Osiris

myminifactory

An ostracon is typically a piece of pottery that has been broken off from a vessel such as a vase or other ceramic container. Because they were both durable and plentiful, fragments would often have text or images scratched onto them. Most commonly, ostraca were used as convenient writing tools but they were also frequently used like sketchpads for practicing drawing techniques. This particular fragment showcases a drawing of the god Osiris, and there is a poorly preserved hieratic inscription written on its back.