Late Dynastic Period, ca. 664-332 BC. A bronze figure of Osiris in a mummiform position holding the crook and flail. He is depicted with a braided divine beard and wearing the atef crown with plumes of ostrich feathers which symbolises power and shows his role as king in the afterlife. Below this uraeus is depicted protecting him. Osiris was one of the most popular ancient Egyptian gods and was connected with male fertility. He was said to be the first Pharaoh of Egypt and was murdered by his brother Seth for his crown. Osiris was revived by Isis, his wife, and sister, to conceive Horus, the son who would avenge his death. After death, Osiris became ruler of the underworld and God of the dead, which is why he is shown with the crook and flail, the symbols of authority for Egyptian rulers.Size: L:95mm / W:20mm ; 45gProvenance: Private collection of a West London gentleman; previously in a collection formed on the UK/International art market in the 1990s.