Egyptian Turquoise Faience Shabti

£295.00

An Egyptian shabti figurine made in a light turquoise glazed faience. The shabti features a plain lappet wig which connects with the back pillar, and a long beard. The arms are crossed at the chest, holding a hoe in each hand. The reverse displays a plain pillar and a basket with cross fibres on the left shoulder. The shabti stands on an integral base. The moulded details remain very well preserved, with very clear facial features including almond-shaped eyes, a straight nose and small mouth.

Date: Circa 1069 - 664 BC
Period: Third Intermediate Period
Provenance: From the collection of W.D. (deceased), Scotland, UK.
Condition: Fine condition. Minor chip to left shoulder.

SOLD

SKU: CY-251 Category: Tags: ,

Ushabtis or Shabtis were figurines designed to be placed in tombs. They take the appearance of human mummified figures, usually with their arms crossed at their chest. They could be made using several materials, such as wood, clay and faience, which remains the most common, especially in its blue or green shades. Shabtis were intended to act as servants for the deceased and to perform any manual labour for them in the afterlife. For this to be possible, early shabtis would include the name of their master inscribed on it and also a summoning spell to which they replied. In fact, shabti translates as “the answerer”. Such figurines could also be inscribed with passages from the Book of the Dead, the intention of which was to secure safety for the deceased in the afterlife. In later periods, with the increased mass production of shabtis, the deceased would include a significant number with them in their tomb; even so many as 365 workers and 36 overseers to supervise.

To discover more about ancient Egyptian shabtis, please visit our blog post: How Ancient Egyptian Shabtis and Funerary Statuettes Watched Over the Dead

Weight 53.3 g
Dimensions W 3.3 x H 11.9 cm
Culture

Region

Faience

Reference: For a similar item, The British Museum, London, item EA49256

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