Donor Presenting a Mummified Osiris (Osiriphoros)
Sculpture; votive statuette • Ancient Egyptian workshop, Thebes
Style & Movement
Late Period Egyptian Art / Saite Renaissance
Medium & Technique
Gray-green schist; carved and polished
Creation Period
Late Period, Twenty-Sixth Dynasty (Saitic Period), ca. 640–600 B.C.
Dimensions & Format
Small-scale free-standing sculpture in vertical format; approximately 12-18 inches in height.
Subject Description
The sculpture depicts a donor (devotee) standing and holding a smaller, mummified figure of the god Osiris. The composition is a classic 'theophorous' (god-bearing) pose common in temple statuary. Osiris is shown with the Atef crown and crook and flail, signifying his role as the god of the netherworld. The donor wears a smooth wig and a long kilt, presenting the deity as a gesture of piety.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good/Fair; The figure is largely intact but shows a significant loss/breakage at the front right corner of the base.
Estimated Market Value
$150,000 - $300,000 USD
Auction Estimate
$100,000 - $200,000 USD
Provenance History
Purchased by J. Pierpont Morgan before 1913. Currently housed in a museum setting (likely the Morgan Library & Museum or the Metropolitan Museum of Art as part of the Morgan collection).
Art Historical Significance
This piece is a classic example of Saite Period art, which often looked back to Old and Middle Kingdom forms to restore Egyptian prestige. Its lack of an inscription suggests it may have been a 'stock item' from a workshop, held in inventory until a specific donor purchased it and commissioned their name to be added.
Notable Features
The smooth, high-polish finish characteristic of gray-green schist in the 26th Dynasty; the unique 'Osiriphoros' iconographic type; documented Morgan provenance.
Condition Issues
Major structural loss to the integrated stone base at the bottom right. Surface wear consistent with age. Slight chipping on the edges of the figures.
Conservation Recommendations
Maintain stable relative humidity (40-50%) and temperature. Ensure the stone is protected from oils by handling with gloves. Secure the base for earthquake safety.