This
fragment in linen cloth, which dates from the Roman Period, is the
upper part of a large shroud representing the god Osiris mummiform. The
oval face has two black eyes elongated by a cosmetic line and a large
nose. On the cheeks two bandages descend which serve to fix the false
beard. The body is wrapped in an envelope of netting in dark red and
decorated black and blue. The god, who is dressed in the atef-crown,
wears a wesekh-collar and a pectoral in the form of a naos.
The face of Osiris is framed by two kneeling mourners; they are
probably a representation of Isis and Nephthys. The shroud is also
decorated with djed-pillars and small papyrus columns. This type of
shroud, of which the iconography is certainly of pharaonic tradition, is
rather rare.
ROMAN PERIOD
Inventory number E.5699
KMKG - MRAH
M.
Rassart-Debergh (Éd.), Arts tardifs et chrétiens d'Égypte (Exposition
Louvain-la-Neuve ), Le Monde Copte 14-15 (1988) 34 nº 44
Égyptiennes. Étoffes coptes du Nil (Exposition), Mariemont 1997, 134 nº 3