Author(s): C. Zarnoch, E. Sullivan
Description: This statue of Isis protecting Osiris was dedicated by a man named Sheshonq, a steward of the “god’s wife of Amun” Ankhnesneferibre. Isis stands behind Osiris (her husband in Egyptian mythology) with her wings on either side of that god in a gesture of protection. She wears a crown of ureai with the sun disk between two cow horns, a typical crown for a goddess. The mummiform Osiris wears his traditional atef crown and clutches the crook and flail, symbols of kingship.
Provenance: Discovered in an Osiris Chapel of Ankhnesneferibre
Person: Isis and Osiris, from the reign of a Saite king (probably Psammetichus II)
Date: Dynasty 26, Late Period (c590 BCE)
Material: Grey schist
Functional Comments:
Dimensions: H: 81.30cm
Current Location: British Museum
Bibliography:
Porter, B. and R. Moss (1927). Topographical bibliography of ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic texts, reliefs, and paintings: The Theban temples. Oxford, Clarendon Press. pp. 66.
Porter, B., R. L. B. Moss, et al. (1972). Topographical bibliography of ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic texts, reliefs and paintings 2., Theban temples. Oxford, Clarendon Press. pp. 289.
Quirke, S. (1992). Ancient Egyptian religion. London, British Museum Press. pp. 12-13
The British Museum. (2008). “Explore/Highlights.” http://www.britishmuseum.org
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