New photography by Shannon Ruff captured with a digital camera-2006.

Shrine sculpture

Artist Unknown

CultureEgyptian | New Kingdom

DateThird Intermediate Period - Late Period, Dynasty 25-26, 730-525 B.C.E.

MediumLimestone

DimensionsOverall: 9 3/4 in. (24.8 cm)

Credit LineGift of Walter P. Chrysler, Jr.

Object number71.2255

Collections

Ancient Mediterranean Art

On View

Chrysler Museum of Art, Gallery 109

DescriptionRectangular shrine or naos, pierced by a door on one short side. This entry is framed by a torus and a cavetto cornice (concave moulding) on its top. ; Inside it is a seated statuette that shows all the characteristics of Osiris: mummiform, arms crossed on the chest, holding a whip and probably a hook, wearing a long false beard and the atef-crown (the high mitre framed by two tall feathers).;

Label TextShrine Sculpture Third Intermediate Period-Late period, Dynasty 25-26, 730-525 B.C.E. Limestone Gift of Walter P. Chrysler, Jr. 71.2255 The naos, or inner chamber, was the most sacred precinct within an Egyptian temple. The main statue of the temple's god resided there, housed within a stone enclosure set with wooden doors. Only the pharaoh and the first priest were allowed to approach the naos and open its doors. This modest sculpture reproduces a naos in miniature and would likely have been placed as a votive shrine in a small, private tomb. The shrine was dedicated to Osiris, god of the dead, who is depicted within holding a whip and wearing his atef-crown set with two tall feathers.