Artifacts from the Tomb of Psamtik, 1870s

Artifacts discovered in a deep pit in the Tomb of the scribe Psamtik at Saqqara, Boulaq Museum, 1870s. Now in the Egyptian Museum, Cairo.

Seated statue of god Osiris – CG 38358

Osiris is shown seated, wrapped tightly, and holding the crook and flail – symbols of kingship – in his hands, crossed at his torso. He wears the Atef-crown and a uraeus, as well as a divine beard. A formula dedicated by the chief scribe Psamtik to the god is inscribed around the base.

Statue of Hathor protecting Psamtik – JE 38927

This schist statue depicts Psamtik standing in a posture of prayer, with the seal of his profession as chief scribe hanging from his neck.He is standing beneath the figure of a cow representing the goddess Hathor. She was the goddess of love, music, and motherhood. Here Hathor wears her usual crown of the sun disk, with two tall feathers inserted between her horns and the uraeus, or rearing cobra.

Statue of the Goddess Isis – JE 38929

This statue was found in the tomb of the Chief of Scribes, Overseer of the Seal, and Governor of the Palace, Psamtik, at Saqqara. It represents Isis, the mother of Horus, in the form of a beautiful woman.

The goddess Isis is seated, wearing a long tight dress, her left hand is placed on her knee, while her right hand holds the ankh-symbol of life. Isis is often associated with Hathor, and here is presented wearing the latter goddess’ crown, the cow’s horns surmounted by a sun-disc. The base of the statue bears an inscription dedicating the statue to Isis from Psamtik.