EGYPTIAN FAIENCE USHABTI

Late Period, Ca. 664-332 BC
A captivating blue faience ushabti encapsulates the artistry and symbolism of ancient Egyptian funerary practices. This mummiform figurine, meticulously crafted with intricate details, adorns a tripartite wig, an iconic hairstyle commonly associated with the afterlife. The crossed hands of the ushabti tightly grip hoes, emphasizing their role as agricultural laborers in the realm of the deceased. During the Late Period of ancient Egypt, these tomb figures garnered the appellation "ushabtis," meaning "answerers" in reference to their perceived ability to respond to the Pharaoh's call for assistance in the afterlife. Believed to serve as loyal servants, ushabtis were entrusted with the crucial task of carrying out agricultural duties on behalf of the deceased, who assumed the form of the deity Osiris in the afterlife. Their purpose extended beyond mundane tasks, as they played a vital role in ensuring the comfort and liberation of the individual from arduous labor in the eternal realm.
Size: L:95mm / W:25mm ; 35g
Provenance: Private London collection, ex. B. Kickx and J. Peeters collections, pre 1978, Belgium.
Estimate: GBP 75 - 150