Colored statuette of Osiris

This lovely colored statuette, which was found in a tomb dating to the New Kingdom, is a standing representation of Osiris, the god of the dead.

His face is colored green, which was considered to be the color of fertility. His body is wrapped in a white shroud like a mummy leaving his hands visible; he is holding the two flails, symbols of resurrection and his feet are covered and shown side by side.

The god is wearing a blue false beard and the atef crown consisting of the White Crown of Upper Egypt flanked by two blue ostrich feathers. The White Crown is here colored yellow to match the yellow base of the statuette and the other small details that are painted yellow.

On the body, a colorful text is inscribed on a yellow background and gives the offering formula dedicated to the deceased to provide him with various offerings and goods in the afterlife.

The combination of the fertility of the god Osiris and his funerary aspect as god of the dead, transformed him naturally into a god of resurrection. The presence of his figure in the tomb, assured the deceased of resurrection. In addition, in order to gain eternal life, it was essential for the mummified body to imitate the appearance of Osiris as closely as possible