Relief of Osiris

This object is not part of The Met collection. It was in the Museum for a special exhibition and has been returned to the lender.

The figure depicted here was previously identified as an early Twelfth Dynasty king, but careful study of the garments and regalia has revealed that it is one of the earliest surviving depictions of the funerary god Osiris, who was particularly prominent in the Middle Kingdom. The relief likely originally belonged to the left side of the doorframe below the lintel seen to the left. Shown on the doorframe were Egyptian deities presenting Senwosret I with symbols promising long life and protection. Although Osiris was not particularly associated with Coptos, where this relief was found, he was depicted here because key gods and goddesses of the Egyptian pantheon were often represented in important temples throughout Egypt.