Late Period, 30th Dynasty, Ca. 332 BC. A mummiform figure in the form of an ushabti, moulded in a light-blue, glazed faience, wearing a tripartite wig and divine braided beard. The chest with folded arms, clenching a pick and hoe. The Egyptian idea of Paradise ('Sekhet Aaru' - "the Field of Reeds”) was an idealised reflection of Egypt itself, and this meant bountiful agriculture - something that required servants and farmhands to be taken to the afterlife. Shabti like this one were buried as grave goods, sometimes in groups of hundreds, to be brought to life for that very purpose. From the reign of Thutmose IV they were typically depicted with an adze, a hoe, and a seed bag to fulfil this function, taking the chores of Paradise off the deceased's hands. During this period, they were called upon using the Book of the Dead (chapter 6).Size: L:125mm / W:40mm ; 70gProvenance: Private London collection; ex. B. Kickx and J. Peeters collections, pre 1978, Belgium.