SERRE LIVRES OSIRIS - Bronze - marbre Vert de Nile

An exceptionally rare pair of bronze bookends, dating to circa 1920. These striking pieces depict Osiris, a central deity in the Egyptian pantheon and the mythical king of ancient Egypt.
 
In this representation, Osiris is adorned with the royal attributes and symbols befitting his divine and sovereign status:
He is crowned with the Atef, a white crown flanked by two lateral ostrich feathers, a powerful emblem of kingship and divine authority.
In his crossed arms over the chest, he holds right the Heqa scepter, a symbol of royal power and governance, and
left the Nekhekh flail, an instrument associated with both agricultural fertility and the pharaoh’s role as a shepherd of his people.
 
The sides of the statues is decorated with he writing system used in ancient Egypt called hieroglyphs (or hieroglyphic script).
 
The intricate detailing and symbolic richness of these bookends not only highlight the artistry of the era but also serve as a testament to the enduring fascination with ancient Egyptian iconography in early 20th-century decorative arts.
 
A flail (or scourge/ gesel/ vlegel/fléau) is a weapon or ceremonial object consisting of a striking head attached to a handle by a flexible rope, strap, or chain. In the context of ancient Egyptian symbolism, the Nekhekh flail was a ritual implement often associated with royalty and divinity. It was typically carried by pharaohs and gods like Osiris, symbolizing authority, protection, and the role of the ruler as a shepherd of the people. The flail was also linked to agricultural fertility, as it resembled the tools used in threshing grain, reinforcing the connection between kingship and the prosperity of the land.
 
A scepter is a ceremonial staff, often ornately decorated, that serves as a symbol of authority, sovereignty, and divine right. In many ancient cultures, including Egypt, scepters were carried by rulers, deities, or high-ranking officials as a sign of their power and legitimacy. In the context of ancient Egypt, the Heqa scepter was a specific type of scepter associated with kingship and the gods, such as Osiris. It typically featured a crook (kromstaf, crosse) at the top, resembling a shepherd’s crook, symbolizing the pharaoh’s role as the shepherd of his people. This scepter, along with the flail (or scourge), was a common attribute of pharaohs and deities in Egyptian iconography.