Ancient Egypt, Late Dynastic Period, Dynasty 26, ca. 662 to 525 BCE. An attractive Egyptian white faience ushabti in the form of a mummiform human with arms crossed, holding crook and flail, a basket on the back, wearing a false beard, deep purple pigment remaining on headdress, and somewhat faded deep purple hieroglyphic text . Ushabti (also shabti or shawabti) are funerary/mummiform figures, usually made of either faience, wood, or stone. Such figurines were placed in tombs among the grave goods, quite often in large numbers, sometimes one for each day of the year. Ushabti were intended to take the place of the deceased in performing certain manual tasks in the after world. Ushabtis were used from the Middle Kingdom (Ca. 1900 BCE) until the end of the Ptolemaic Period nearly two millennia later. An impressive example with a custom stand. Size: 5.25" H (13.3 cm); Size: 7.5" H (19 cm) on stand.

Provenance: Ex-private D. Dami collection; acquired at Sotheby's Dec. 7, 2005

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#113412

Repaired at lower end with losses as shown. Expected surface wear and abrasions.