Ancient Egypt, Late Period - Earthenware - Shabti

07
days
21
hours
42
minutes
40
seconds
Current bid
€ 2
Reserve price not met
Ruth Garrido Vila
Expert
Selected by Ruth Garrido Vila

Directed the Ifergan Collection Museum, specialising in Phoenician and Mediterranean archaeology.

Estimate  € 650 - € 800
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FR
€2
GR
€1

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An Egyptian pale-green façon faience ouchebti, anepigraphic, from the Late Period (664–332 BC), 10 cm high and 2.5 cm deep, sold with stand and expertised by Sabrina Uzan, provenance Cannes auction house from a private collection.

AI-assisted summary

Description from the seller

Ancient Egyptian uninscribed shabti in green-glazed faience – Late Period – 10 cm – 664–332 BC.

Certified by Sabrina Uzan.

An Egyptian shabti is a funerary figurine placed in tombs to accompany the deceased in the afterlife. Used over many periods of Egyptian history, these symbolic servants were tasked with responding in place of their owner whenever the latter was called upon to perform work in the realm of the dead.

This example, made in pale green faience during the Late Egyptian Period (about 664–332 BC), features the characteristic mummiform shape of shabtis. The figure is depicted wrapped in its funerary linen shroud, arms crossed over the chest in accordance with the traditional iconographic conventions of ancient Egypt.

The green tint of the faience held particular significance in Egyptian symbolism. Associated with rebirth, fertility, and the eternal renewal of life, it embodied the hope of resurrection and survival in the afterlife. These figurines were thus designed to protect and assist the deceased throughout their spiritual journey.

Shabtis occupied an essential place in Egyptian funeral practices. Placed individually or in large numbers in tombs, they formed a symbolic army intended to serve the deceased for eternity. Today, they remain among the most emblematic witnesses to the religious beliefs and funeral rites of ancient Egypt.

This piece is a remarkable testimony to Late Period funerary art, a period marked by the continuation of ancestral religious traditions and by substantial production of votive and funerary figurines.

Provenance: a famous auction house in Cannes.
Formerly in a private Cannes collection from the 1960s.

Expertized by Sabrina Uzan.

Ancient Egyptian uninscribed shabti in green-glazed faience – Late Period – 10 cm – 664–332 BC.

Certified by Sabrina Uzan.

An Egyptian shabti is a funerary figurine placed in tombs to accompany the deceased in the afterlife. Used over many periods of Egyptian history, these symbolic servants were tasked with responding in place of their owner whenever the latter was called upon to perform work in the realm of the dead.

This example, made in pale green faience during the Late Egyptian Period (about 664–332 BC), features the characteristic mummiform shape of shabtis. The figure is depicted wrapped in its funerary linen shroud, arms crossed over the chest in accordance with the traditional iconographic conventions of ancient Egypt.

The green tint of the faience held particular significance in Egyptian symbolism. Associated with rebirth, fertility, and the eternal renewal of life, it embodied the hope of resurrection and survival in the afterlife. These figurines were thus designed to protect and assist the deceased throughout their spiritual journey.

Shabtis occupied an essential place in Egyptian funeral practices. Placed individually or in large numbers in tombs, they formed a symbolic army intended to serve the deceased for eternity. Today, they remain among the most emblematic witnesses to the religious beliefs and funeral rites of ancient Egypt.

This piece is a remarkable testimony to Late Period funerary art, a period marked by the continuation of ancestral religious traditions and by substantial production of votive and funerary figurines.

Provenance: a famous auction house in Cannes.
Formerly in a private Cannes collection from the 1960s.

Expertized by Sabrina Uzan.

Details

Era
Before 1400
Culture
Ancient Egypt, Late Period
Title additional information
664–332 BC - Expertised
Century/timeframe
664–332 BC
Acquired from
Auction house
Material
Earthenware
Year acquired
2025
Ethnic group/culture
Ancient Egyptian
Country of origin
Egypt
Country acquired from
France
Height
10 cm
Previous owner acquired from
Private collection
Width
2.5 cm
Sold with stand
Yes
Previous owner - year acquired
1960
Depth
2.5 cm
Previous owner - country acquired from
France
Condition
Fair condition - heavily used & with possibly minor parts missing
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
FranceVerified
18
Objects sold
66.67%
Private

Disclaimer

The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.

The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.

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