Ancient Egypt, Third Intermediate Period Faience Shabti with Hieroglyphs






Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.
€20 | ||
|---|---|---|
€8 | ||
€7 | ||
Catawiki Buyer Protection
Your payment’s safe with us until you receive your object.View details
Trustpilot 4.4 | 144058 reviews
Rated Excellent on Trustpilot.
Ancient Egyptian shabti with hieroglyphs, faience, in a mummiform pose, dating to the 22nd Dynasty (circa 947–713 BC), in good condition and authentic as original, measuring 9 cm high and 3.4 cm wide.
Description from the seller
An Egyptian mummiform light blue faience shabti with hieroglyphs written in black pigment. The shabti is presented standing in the traditional mummiform pose, with arms crossed, legs together and wearing a tripartite wig. Dark pigment outlines the hoes held in either hand. The face is modelled in relief, now heavily worn, with the eyes painted in black. A column of hieroglyphs is written in black pigment to the front of the shabti. To the reverse is a painted seed sack on its back. Encrustations and discolouration to the surface, which has faded the hieroglyphics inscriptions. Signs of wear as consistent with age, such as surface pitting, indentations, and chips.
Shabtis (or ushbatis) are among the most numerous of all Egyptian antiquities, as they played a major role in funeral rites. They were intended to act as servants for the deceased and to perform any manual labour for their master in the afterlife. For this to be possible, it was necessary that each shabti present in the grave had the name of their master inscribed on it and also a summoning spell to which they replied. In fact, shabti – or ushabti – 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.
Measurements (Circa): H 9cm x W 3.4cm
Provenance: Acquired on the London art market, 1970s.
Seller's Story
An Egyptian mummiform light blue faience shabti with hieroglyphs written in black pigment. The shabti is presented standing in the traditional mummiform pose, with arms crossed, legs together and wearing a tripartite wig. Dark pigment outlines the hoes held in either hand. The face is modelled in relief, now heavily worn, with the eyes painted in black. A column of hieroglyphs is written in black pigment to the front of the shabti. To the reverse is a painted seed sack on its back. Encrustations and discolouration to the surface, which has faded the hieroglyphics inscriptions. Signs of wear as consistent with age, such as surface pitting, indentations, and chips.
Shabtis (or ushbatis) are among the most numerous of all Egyptian antiquities, as they played a major role in funeral rites. They were intended to act as servants for the deceased and to perform any manual labour for their master in the afterlife. For this to be possible, it was necessary that each shabti present in the grave had the name of their master inscribed on it and also a summoning spell to which they replied. In fact, shabti – or ushabti – 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.
Measurements (Circa): H 9cm x W 3.4cm
Provenance: Acquired on the London art market, 1970s.
Seller's Story
Details
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.
