Card/Transcription No.: 257-1

No. 257.

A NICHE cut in the east wall, facing the foot end of the
sarcophagus (right, S.E., corner), 120 cents. above the floor
of the Burial-chamber.

THE NICHE takes the form of a roughly cut shallow recess of
rectangular shape, 27 cents. high, 20 cents. wide, and 18
cents. deep. It was closed by the means of a suitable but
irregular shaped splinter of limestone, which was plastered
over flush with the surface of the wall and then painted over
to match the colour decorating the wall.

THE NICHE CONTAINED an Osiris figure standing upon a brick
(pedestal), facing south, and made, like the brick (pedestal)
itself, of unbaked clay. Both the figure and the brick
(pedestal) were completely swathed in narrow strips of fine
linen averaging 3 to 4 cents. in width.

THE OSIRIS FIGURE, 16.8 cents. high (= 9 digits), wearing the
simple form of the atef-crown and beard, is modelled upon a
stick support inserted in the brick (pedestal). The figure is
cracked in several places due to shrinkage of the clay when
drying.

THE BRICK (pedestal), 13.1 cents. long, 6.5 cents. wide, and
3.7 cents. thick (= 7 x 3½ x 2 digits), has graven upon its
uppper surface, in front of the figure, the following
incantation in hieroglyphic characters:

<>
? 
msh <>
? <> or <> most probable

On the bottom of the brick (pedestal) are traces of red paint.

This unique figure appears to take the place of the reed torch
mentioned in the Book of the Dead (Ch. CLI), however, it must
not be forgotten that a small reed torch with its brick
(pedestal) of unbaked clay bearing an incantation graven in
hieroglyphic characters was found on the floor within the
threshold of the entrance of the Treasury (see No. 263).