Egypt, Late Dynastic to Ptolemaic Period, ca. 664 to 30 BCE. A beautiful faience ushabti standing in mummiform position atop an integral plinth with a dorsal pillar on the verso, all enveloped in vibrant blue glaze. The figure holds a pick and hoe in hands crossed atop the abdomen while the tripartite wig is clearly delineated with darker pigment over the head and shoulders and a false beard extends from the chin. 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. As a result, ushabtis are frequently depicted with arms crossed, holding picks and hoes, with baskets on their backs. This meant that the task of agricultural labor was required by all members of society, from workers to pharaohs. The brilliant blue of this ushabti is associated with the sky and the Nile, and thus represents the universe, creation, and fertility. Size: 1.2" W x 4" H (3 cm x 10.2 cm)

The wealthier nobility in Egyptian society were able to have ushabti made of faience, though wood was a more economical option for members of lower classes. However, the overall size of this example suggests that this was meant for an individual of importance. During the Pharaonic period, they 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. Workers like these are from that period of enormous proliferation, and are some of our best surviving insights into ancient Egyptian funerary practices.

Provenance: private Vero Beach, Florida, USA collection, acquired before 2003

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#177672

Chipping to glaze on back of head and softening of detail, commensurate with age, but otherwise intact and excellent with nice preservation of pigment.