Ancient Egypt, New Kingdom, 19th Dynasty, ca. 1292 to 1189 BCE. A gorgeous ushabti figure carved by hand from gray-white limestone exhibiting a slender form. The figure presents standing in mummiform with fused legs atop protruding feet while crossing both arms atop her chest. A pair of hoes painted in black extends from her hands, signifying her duty to tend the fields of Osiris in the afterlife, and a black seed bag is painted behind her right shoulder. Additional red pigment creates stripes bangles that adorn each wrist, the 'beaded' ornamentation of her elaborate wesekh broad collar, and the profile of her plump lips. Her haunting yet serene countenance stares outwards with almond-shaped eyes while slender brows and large, almost Hathoric ears further define her appearance, all framed within the thick lappets of her sizable wig. One can only imagine how intricate and colorful this artifact was when first created, and her beauty has endured through the millennia. Size: 2.6" W x 7.7" H (6.6 cm x 19.6 cm); 8.6" H (21.8 cm) on included custom stand.

Ushabti were first introduced in the Middle Kingdom as substitutes for the mummy in case it was destroyed. During the Second Intermediate Period inscribed wooden figures called shawabtis (after the Egyptian word for wood, shawab) began to be placed in tombs. During the New Kingdom, ushabti assumed a new role as servant figures for the deceased. They were now depicted with agricultural equipment. By the Third Intermediate Period, the number of shabti placed in the tomb was set at 401 (365 workers and 36 overseers). During the Late Period the tomb figures became known as ushabtis ('answerers'), these figures represented servants who would magically answer when called upon to perform agricultural duties for the Pharaoh (in the form of Osiris) in the afterlife. Their main function was to ensure the individual's comfort and freedom from daily labor in the next life.

Published in Eisenberg, J. "Art of the Ancient World." Vol. XXIX, New York, 2018, no. 138

Cf. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession number 86.1.23

Provenance: ex-Royal Athena Galleries, New York, New York, USA; ex-Drouot Hotel, Paris, France, May 2016; ex-private G.F. Burgh collection, The Hague, Netherlands, 1984

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#171576

Small losses to front of feet as shown. Large chips atop feet and along right buttock, with abrasions and fading to pigment, minor softening to some finer details, and light encrustations, otherwise in excellent condition. Lovely remains of black and red pigment across obverse, wig, and behind right shoulder, and wonderful preservation to overall form. Figure is attached and adhered to display stand and cannot be removed.