Egypt, Late Dynastic to Ptolemaic periods, ca. 664 to 30 BCE. A mold-formed blue-green faience ushabti standing in mummiform atop an integral rectangular plinth. The figure's arms are crossed atop its chest, with hands clenching the symbolic pick and hoe to tend to the fields of Osiris in the afterlife. A tripartite wig frames a stylized face comprised of almond-shaped eyes, a prominent nose, cupped ears, full lips drawn into a slight smile, and a plaited false beard. A single column of hieroglyphic characters decorate the front of the legs and lower torso. Translated, the text reads that this ushabti was created for a man named "Ipethemes, born to Hathor-em-akhet." A beautiful example from the latter periods of pharaonic Egypt! Custom lucite display stand included. Size: 1.625" W x 6" H (4.1 cm x 15.2 cm); 6.375" H (16.2 cm) on included custom stand.

Ushabti dolls are figures shaped like adult male or female mummies wearing traditional ancient Egyptian headdresses. 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 - and it was required by all members of society, from workers to pharaohs. The wealthier nobility in Egyptian society were able to have shabtis made of faience; blue faience was meant to reflect the color of the river Nile both on earth and in the afterlife.

Provenance: private Houston, Texas, USA collection; ex-Bonham's London Antiquities Auction, 8 May, 2013, part of lot 339; ex-English private A.B. collection, United Kingdom, acquired before 1970

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#132795

Ushabti is adhered to lucite stand. Age-commensurate surface wear and abrasions, small nicks to integral plinth and head, fading to some hieroglyphic text and coloration, otherwise intact and excellent. Light earthen deposits within recessed areas and along verso.