Ancient Egypt, Third Intermediate Period, 21st to 25th Dynasty, ca. 1070 to 664 BCE. A lovely mold-formed faience ushabti covered in beautiful cornflower-blue glaze and decorated with applied black pigment. The figure stands with fused legs upon protruding feet, holds the symbolic pick and hoe in hands crossed atop the chest, and has a small seed bag draped across the verso. The minimal visage boasts black eyes beneath thick brows, a petite nose, thin lips, and cupped ears, all beneath the black-striped tripartite wig. A column of hieroglyphic symbols is presented atop the wide triangular vestment and, while untranslated, provides the name of Osiris as well as that of the deceased. Size: 1.375" W x 4.95" H (3.5 cm x 12.6 cm); 5.2" H (13.2 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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#147240
Condition
Figure is adhered to display stand and cannot be removed. Minor abrasions and nicks to legs, vestment, arms, and head, with scattered areas of pitting, light encrustations, and fading to original pigmentation, otherwise intact and very good. Light earthen deposits throughout. Label on front of stand reads, "ANCIENT EGYPT Ushabti Burial Doll "Servants of the Dead" c. 1000 - 332 B.C."