Lot 52
LARGE ANCIENT EGYPTIAN FRAGMENT DEPICTING OSIRIS
EGYPT, 18TH DYNASTY, C. 1450 B.C.
Auction: 26 November 2026 from 14:00 GMT
Description
carved limestone, depicting Osiris, shown facing right, with false beard and wearing the atef crown; he holds a crook, flail and Was-sceptre in his left hand, while his right hand is raised up to his side; raised on a bespoke mount
Dimensions
21cm wide
Provenance
By repute previously with the Paul Drey Gallery, New York c. 1950s;
Gawain McKinley (1945-1996), London, United Kingdom;
James Ede, London, United Kingdom;
Private collection, United Kingdom, acquired 2010s on the UK art market
Footnote
The present piece would originally have formed part of a much larger funerary scene, possibly decorating the approach to a tomb. Such scenes were an important feature of ancient Egyptian tomb decoration, depicting the deceased making offerings to the gods in the hope of securing divine favour and protection in the afterlife.