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Terminal Ornamented with Three Heads of the Osirian Triad

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

MEDIUM Bronze
  • Reportedly From: Saqqara, Egypt
  • DATES ca. 664–525 B.C.E. or later
    DYNASTY Dynasty 26, or later
    PERIOD Late Period
    DIMENSIONS 2 5/8 x 3 3/4 x 1 3/16 in. (6.6 x 9.5 x 3 cm)  (show scale)
    ACCESSION NUMBER 37.687E
    CREDIT LINE Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
    CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Triple aegis of bronze: three broad collar necklaces, side by side, each surmounted by the head of a deity. From left to right they are Osiris (crowned with ram’s horns, sun-disk and two ostrich plumes), Isis (crowned with frieze of uraei from which springs cow’s horns, sun-disk and two plumes), and Horus (falcon-headed wearing Double Crown). The three elements are connected, in the rear, to a plate from which springs two eyelets. There are three circular depressions in this plate: one behind each aegis. In front, there is a circular hole in the center of the collars below the heads of Osiris and Isis, and a depression off-center on the collar of Horus. Condition: Overall brown/black patina. Osiris aegis diagonally cracked and part of it is missing as a result of an attack of bronze disease. Fragment missing from feather of Osiris’ crown.
    MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view
    CAPTION Terminal Ornamented with Three Heads of the Osirian Triad, ca. 664–525 B.C.E. or later. Bronze, 2 5/8 x 3 3/4 x 1 3/16 in. (6.6 x 9.5 x 3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 37.687E. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 37.687E_NegA_SL4_edited.jpg)
    IMAGE overall, unedited master file, 37.687E_NegA_SL4_edited.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2016
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