Ancient Egypt, Third Intermediate Period, 21st to 25th Dynasty, ca. 1070 to 664 BCE. A hand-built faience ushabti of a petite form that is covered in layers of brilliant blue glaze. The attenuated figure stands in mummiform with fused legs, holds a pick and hoe in arms crossed atop the chest, and has a broad seed bag suspended via a slender strap behind both shoulders. The protruding face features black-painted eyes, a flush nose, and a petite mouth, all framed within the vertically striated lappets of the tripartite wig. A column of black hieroglyphs is painted in front of the legs and, while untranslated, perhaps provides the names of Osiris as well as the deceased. Size: 1.25" W x 3.375" H (3.2 cm x 8.6 cm)

Shabti (or ushabti) dolls are figures shaped like adult male or female mummies wearing traditional ancient Egyptian headdresses. The ancient Egyptians believed that after they died, their spirits would have to work in the "Field of Reeds" owned by the god of the underworld, Osiris. This meant doing agricultural labor, which was required by all members of society, from workers to pharaohs. The wealthier nobility in Egyptian society were able to have shabtis made of coveted faience, and blue faience was meant to reflect the color of the river Nile both on earth and in the afterlife.

Provenance: private Corpus Christi, Texas, USA estate collection, acquired 1960s to 1970s

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#165087

Minor abrasions and pitting to surfaces, with wear to black pigment on face and hieroglyphs, otherwise intact and very good. Great remains of blue glaze throughout.