Egypt, Late Dynastic Period, 26th to 31st Dynasty, ca. 664 to 332 BCE. A beautiful mold-formed faience ushabti colored in reflective layers of green and blue-green glaze. The figure stands in mummiform with fused legs atop an integral rectangular plinth, crosses bulbous hands across the chest while grasping the symbolic pick and hoe, and has a petite seed bag incised behind the left shoulder. The slender head boasts almond-shaped eyes beneath thick brows, a broad nose, full lips above a plaited false beard, and cupped ears, all beneath a tripartite wig. Ten lines of inscribed hieroglyphic text wraps around the legs, and a faded cartouche - perhaps that of Pharaoh Ahmose II - is present along the figure's left side. Though untranslated, the text would mention the name of the deceased as well as provide an invocation from Chapter 6 of the Egyptian Book of the Dead (or Book of Going Forth by Day). Size: 1.3" L x 2.3" W x 8.8" H (3.3 cm x 5.8 cm x 22.4 cm); 9.8" H (24.9 cm) on included custom stand.

Ushabti dolls are figures shaped like adult male or female mummies wearing the 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. The hieroglyphic inscriptions gave the shabti their power, telling Osiris that they were to do work for him.

This piece has been tested using thermoluminescence (TL) analysis and has been found to be ancient and of the period stated. A full printed and bound report will accompany the item upon purchase.

Provenance: private B.P. collection, McKinleyville, California, USA; ex-Richard Gray Gallery, Chicago, Illinois, USA, acquired from Harlan J. Berk, Chicago, Illinois, USA, April 20, 1990

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#184839

Surface wear commensurate with age as shown with some flaking to surface, but otherwise intact and excellent with impressive remaining detail and bright glaze. Modern puddy applied to underside of base to attach to custom stand. TL holes to verso of base and on back beneath right side of headdress.