Egyptian Blue Glazed Hieroglyphic Shabti for Ta-Amun. Saite Period, 26th Dynasty, 664-525 B.C. or later Slender columnar shabti featuring a dorsal pillar, with ten rows of hieroglyphic text on the lower body beginning with the dedication 'The illuminated one, the Osiris priest Ta-Amun born of Ta-seh-nebty' ( sḥḏ wsỉr ḥm nṯr TꜢ-I͗mn ms (n) TꜢ-sḥ-nbty); the features of the small face are finely modelled, including a long, plaited false beard and a heavy lappet wig; the arms are crossed, with hands holding a pick and a hoe, along with a cord for a seed bag. Cf. Schneider, H.D. Shabtis. An Introduction to the History of Ancient Egyptian Funerary Statuettes with a Catalogue of the Collection of Shabtis in the National Museum of Antiquities at Leiden, Vol.3, Leiden, 1977, p. 57, no. 5.3.1.2, for a similar Late Period shabti with a heavy lappet wig. 137 grams, 17.8 cm (7 in.).

Acquired on the German art market, 1989-1995. with The Museum Gallery, 19 Bury Place, London, WC1, UK, 1998-2003. Property of a London based academic, 2003-present. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

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