Ancient Egypt, Third Intermediate Period, 21st to 25th Dynasty, ca. 1070 to 664 BCE. A fine ensemble of 5 mold-formed, faience ushabti, all presenting upright in a mummiform position with fused legs, jutting feet, folded arms, and forward-facing heads. Enveloped in blue and green glazes, each ancient figure wears a tripartite wig and carries a pick and hoe. One ushabti is additionally adorned with liberal remains of black-painted details. Size (of largest): 1.3" W x 4.5" H (3.3 cm x 11.4 cm)

Ushabti (or shabti) dolls are figures shaped like adult male or female mummies wearing the 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 and it was required by all members of society, from workers to Pharaohs. Many displayed now-faded hieroglyphic inscriptions imbued the ushabti with power and they became servants that did the hard labor for their masters in the afterlife. By the Third Intermediate period, this practice had become so necessary and elaborate that some tombs contained one worker for every day of the year and thirty-six overseers, each responsible for ten laborers!

Provenance: private Southern California collection, California, USA, acquired through descent in 2006; ex-private California collection, USA, acquired before 2000

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#168145

All are repaired from at least 2 pieces with break lines visible and some minor losses along break lines. Losses to feet of 2 and head and shoulder of 1. All have nicks, chips, and abrasions, commensurate with age. Nice remaining pigments throughout.