Ancient Egypt, New Kingdom Period, 18th to 20th Dynasty, ca. 1567 to 1085 BCE. A beautiful gathering of four hand-carved, gesso-covered wooden ushabti standing in mummiform. Each figure wears a tripartite wig and stands with arms folded across the chest, hands holding the symbolic pick and hoe, with a painted netted bag on their back. The hair of each statuette is painted black as is the kohl around the eyes, and vertical bars of hieroglyphic text adorning the front of the legs. Two of the figures have white faces, and two have red-painted faces with thick red bands framing their frontal glyphs. Wooden ushabti are of exceptional rarity compared to their terracotta or faience counterparts, so a group of four of comparable style and presentation is a wonderful treat! Custom museum-quality display stand included. Size of largest (middle-right): 4.75" H (12.1 cm); 5" H (12.7 cm) on included custom stand.

Shabti (or ushabti) dolls are figures shaped like adult male or female mummies wearing the traditional ancient Egyptian tripartite wigs/headdresses, posed with crossed arms, and holding agricultural implements. 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. This meant doing agricultural labor which was required by all members of society, from pedestrian workers to elite Pharaohs. The hieroglyphic inscriptions typically reflected their 'call' as servants for the deceased who would perform manual tasks in the afterlife. Referred to as 'answerers', these figures would have inscriptions covering their legs assuring Osiris that they were prepared to respond to his call to work, and this example features extensive passages all around the figure.

Provenance: private Davis Collection, Houston, Texas, USA; ex-private English collection, United Kingdom, acquired at Bonhams, April 27, 2006, lot 426; ex-Dowler Family collection, United Kingdom, formed over eighty years ago by enthusiastic amateur archaeologists, Henry and Lilian Dowler

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#132854

Far left figure has repair to feet. Middle-left figure has loss to front of feet. All figures display surface wear commensurate with age, fading to pigmentation and hieroglyphic text, small chips and some roughness to exterior surfaces, otherwise excellent. Nice earthen deposits throughout.