Egypt, Late Dynastic period, 26th Dynasty, ca. 664 to 525 BCE. A fine mold-made faience ushabti enveloped in vibrant blue-green glaze. The figure stands in mummiform atop an integral rectangular plinth, holds the symbolic pick and hoe crossed over the narrow chest, and has an incised seed bag draped over the left shoulder. The face depicts recessed almond eyes, a broad, flat nose, full lips, cupped ears, and a false beard, all framed within a tripartite wig. Black-painted hieroglyphs on the verso translate to, "The Osiris, Priest of Neith, Wah-yib-Re." Size: 0.9" W x 3" H (2.3 cm x 7.6 cm); 3.4" H (8.6 cm) on included custom stand.

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.

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 Scottsdale, Arizona, USA collection, acquired from Pegasi Numismatics, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA, from 2005 to 2018

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#181232

Small chip to proper right side of head and expected light surface wear as shown. Otherwise, intact and excellent with nice remains of hieroglyphs on verso. Sticky tack beneath feet to adhere figure to custom stand.