Late Period, 30th Dynasty, Ca. 380 - 343 BC An ancient Egyptian blue faience ushabti. The mummiform figurine wears a tripartite wig, his crossed hands hold hoes, a seed bag hangs from his back. 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. For comparisons of shabti of the same style and period see: Janes, G, The Shabti Collections, volume 5. Size: L:137mm / W:39mm ; 87.54g Provenance: Private London collection; ex. B. Kickx and J. Peeters collections, pre 1978, Belgium.