Description:

Egypt, Late Period, ca. 750 to 525 BCE. This is a blue faience shabti (ushabti). The arms are crossed over its chest and are holding hoes (for a clearer photo of a shabti holding hoes in the similar manner, see the Faience shabti of Sety I on the British Museum website). Shabti (or 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. This faience example represents changing styles in Egypt -- originally faience was used only for the upper class, but by the late period, it had become mass produced for everyone, as evidenced by the thick layer of faience and lack of care given to detail. Size: 1" W x 3.85" H (2.5 cm x 9.8 cm)

Provenance: Ex-New York collection, originally from National Museum of Cairo.

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#113871

  • Condition: Intact, with most faience bright.

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June 2, 2016 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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$5,000 $9,999 $500
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$20,000 $49,999 $2,000
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$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
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