Ancient Egypt, Third Intermediate Period, 21st to 25th Dynasty, ca. 1070 to 664 BCE. A fine mold-formed faience ushabti covered in brilliant cornflower-blue glaze and decorated with applied black pigment. The figure stands in mummiform atop fused legs, holds the symbolic pick and hoe in hands crossed atop the chest, and has a small seed bag draped across the back. Traces of the black-painted eyes, cupped ears, and false beard are visible on the face despite heavy abrasions, and the head is covered with a tripartite wig boasting thick black-painted stripes. A painted column of hieroglyphic symbols graces the front of the legs and, while untranslated, would provide the name of Osiris as well as the name of the deceased. Size: 1.2" W x 4.2" H (3 cm x 10.7 cm); 5.55" H (14.1 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: ex-Hilja K. Herfurth collection, Denver, Colorado, USA
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#147242
Condition
Figure is adhered to display stand and cannot be removed. Repaired from multiple pieces with restoration and overpainting along break lines. Abrasions and minor nicks to legs, body, and face, with fading to original blue and black pigmentation, light encrustations, and some small areas of pitting. Light earthen deposits throughout. Label on front of display stand reads, "ANCIENT EGYPT Ushabti Burial Doll "Servants of the Dead" c. 1000 - 332 B.C."