Statue of Osiris

myminifactory

Osiris, god of the dead, stands upright in a mummiform pose, with arms folded across his chest to the right over his left. His feet are wedge-shaped, emerging from a shroud that contours perfectly to his body's shape. The head and hands protrude from the fabric as if they're islands rising out of a flat surface, while the crook and flail appear more like natural extensions of the statue itself rather than mere accessories. The base and back pillar are inscribed with texts for the deceased "king's acquaintance" Ptahirdis. This man was born to Wepwawetem-saf and Merptahites, his father and mother respectively. The inscription is a testament to the intricate network of relationships that defined ancient Egyptian society. This statue boasts an impressive modern history within the Egyptian collection. The upper half of the statue, from just below the knees up, was unearthed by the Harvard University-Museum of Fine Arts Expedition in 1928 during an excavation at Giza tomb 7792, located east of the Great Pyramid. It was a pivotal discovery that shed new light on the art and culture of ancient Egypt. However, the lower part of the statue had been discovered much earlier, 130 years prior to the upper half. General Jean Lannes, a seasoned military officer who later rose through the ranks to become marshal of France and duke of Montebello under Napoleon's command, brought it back to France as part of his collection from Egypt during the Egyptian Campaign of 1798-1801. This campaign marked the beginning of modern Egyptology. Although General Lannes was not known for being an antiquarian enthusiast, he somehow managed to acquire this significant piece of history. It passed down through six generations of his family until it ended up in the hands of Egyptologist Olivier Perdu in 1999. Perdu recognized its connection to the Museum of Fine Arts and facilitated its return. The statue is now complete after being separated for centuries, thanks to the generosity of a friend who purchased the lower part for the Museum. This union of the two fragments not only reunites a masterpiece of Late Period sculpture but also serves as a link to the pioneering moment in modern Egyptology when science began to unravel the mysteries of ancient Egyptian culture. Provenance This statue originates from Giza, specifically the Eastern Cemetery's Pit G 7792 A, where it was found buried. In April 1928, it was excavated by the Harvard University-Museum of Fine Arts Expedition. Later that year, in 1929, it was assigned to the Museum of Fine Arts by the Egyptian government, officially becoming part of its collection on April 1, 1928. Photography and photogrammetry were provided courtesy of Zhejiang University.