Bei Artemis Gallery (25.12.2016, Lot 140) wie folgt beschrieben:

„Egypt, Late Period, Dynasties 26 to 30, 664 BCE to 332 BCE. A beautiful seafoam green faience ushabti, the mummiform figure with several horizontal bands of hieroglyphic text across the front, standing while waiting to do the work of the newly deceased. Hands holding crook and flail, donning tripartite wig and false beard with a central pillar down back. Size: 4.25“ H (10.8 cm)

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 pharoahs. The more wealthy and 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.

Provenance: Ex-Hagar Collection, Ex-private North Carolina collection acquired in the 1980’s / Condition: Repaired from two pieces. Expected surface wear and faience loss commensurate with age.“