Egyptian Late Dynastic Faience Ushabti Brilliant Blue

Lot 13

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686 S Taylor Ave, Ste 106
Louisville, CO 80027
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Selling antiquities, ancient and ethnographic art online since 1993, Artemis Gallery specializes in Classical Antiquities (Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Near Eastern), Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal / Oceanographic art. Our extensive inventory includes pottery, stone, metal, wood, glass and textil...Read more

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About Auction

Fine Antiquities, Asian, Pre-Columbian, Ethnographic Art by Artemis Gallery

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Fine Antiquities, Asian, Pre-Columbian, Ethno...

By Artemis Gallery

May 11, 2023

Set Reminder 2023-05-11 10:00:00 2023-05-11 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Fine Antiquities, Asian, Pre-Columbian, Ethnographic Art https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/fine-antiquities-asian-pre-columbian-ethnographic-art-12771 Classical antiquities, ancient and ethnographic art from cultures encompassing the globe. Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com

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Lot Description

**First Time At Auction**

Egypt, Late Dynastic to Ptolemaic period, ca. 664 to 30 BCE. A lovely 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: 1.1" W x 4" H (2.8 cm x 10.2 cm); 4.5" H (11.4 cm) on included custom stand.

Shabti or 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 was required by all members of society, from workers to pharaohs. By the Third Intermediate period, this practice 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. The wealthier nobility in Egyptian society were able to have shabtis made of coveted faience, and blue faience was meant to reflect the color of the river Nile both on earth and in the afterlife.

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

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#177622

Condition

Expected softening of detail but otherwise intact and excellent with nice craquelure to glaze and great pigments. Encrustation to verso of head.
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