Mummy Shroud

Representation of the deceased as the god Osiris painted on linen. This is a small fragment from a large painted linen shroud that once was wrapped around a mummified body. It probably dates to circa AD 100 - 200 when it was known for greater attention to be devoted to the external appearance of the wrapped mummy. Shrouds were painted with portraits representing the deceased in poses adapted from Hellenistic Greek repertoire. This shroud depicts the transfigured dead person who has assumed the identity of Osiris, appearing in mummy form in frontal pose. Osiris is wearing the atef crown with a plume on either side and a small disc and uraeus at the centre. His hands clasping across his chest hold the flail and sceptre of Egypt.