Ancient Egypt, Ptolemaic Faience Shabti - 15.5 cm

02
days
11
hours
26
minutes
42
seconds
Current bid
€ 500
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  € 1,400 - € 1,700
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usBidder 6912 €500
beBidder 8811 €480
beBidder 2213 €400

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turquoise faience Ptolemaic ushebti with a tripartite wig, expressive features and clear hieroglyph inscriptions, ready to anchor an ancient Egypt collection.

AI-assisted summary

Description from the seller

Ptolemaic ostracon in turquoise blue faience.

Egypt, Ptolemaic period, 4th – 1st century BC

Height: 15.5 cm – Width: 4.3 cm.

Superb turquoise blue faience ouchebti, depicting the deceased in momiforme wearing a tripartite striped wig and equipped with a long braided false beard. The face, particularly expressive and smiling, is typical of late Ptolemaic productions: full cheekbones, slightly almond-shaped eyes, and a mouth animated by a subtle smile. The features are rendered with finesse, indicating a careful workshop.
The figure holds agricultural hoes crossed on the chest and wears, on the back, the strap of the seed bag clearly visible in relief, in accordance with the function of the ouchebti as a substitute for the deceased in fieldwork in the afterlife.
The body is covered with hieroglyphs in vertical columns, carved into the clay before firing, probably a version of Chapter 6 of the Book of the Dead, invoking the activation of the ouchebti in service of the deceased. The faience displays a beautiful, homogeneous turquoise glaze, with minor surface wear due to time.

Note: a visible collage at the neck level, stable and properly restored. No other significant damage or restoration. Overall very beautiful condition, with a remarkable aesthetic presence.
The base is provided with the object.

Provenance
Private Belgian collection established in the early 1980s by Mr. P. and passed down to his daughter.

An invoice and a certificate of authenticity from the expert will be provided to the buyer.

The item will be sent and insured by DHL Express.

Warning
No shipping outside the European Union.
The seller guarantees and is entitled to sell/export this object.
The seller will not ship outside the EU.

Seller's Story

Our gallery was founded in 1978, specializing in classical archeology and ancient numismatics. We are located in Brussels in the Sablon antiques district.
Translated by Google Translate

Ptolemaic ostracon in turquoise blue faience.

Egypt, Ptolemaic period, 4th – 1st century BC

Height: 15.5 cm – Width: 4.3 cm.

Superb turquoise blue faience ouchebti, depicting the deceased in momiforme wearing a tripartite striped wig and equipped with a long braided false beard. The face, particularly expressive and smiling, is typical of late Ptolemaic productions: full cheekbones, slightly almond-shaped eyes, and a mouth animated by a subtle smile. The features are rendered with finesse, indicating a careful workshop.
The figure holds agricultural hoes crossed on the chest and wears, on the back, the strap of the seed bag clearly visible in relief, in accordance with the function of the ouchebti as a substitute for the deceased in fieldwork in the afterlife.
The body is covered with hieroglyphs in vertical columns, carved into the clay before firing, probably a version of Chapter 6 of the Book of the Dead, invoking the activation of the ouchebti in service of the deceased. The faience displays a beautiful, homogeneous turquoise glaze, with minor surface wear due to time.

Note: a visible collage at the neck level, stable and properly restored. No other significant damage or restoration. Overall very beautiful condition, with a remarkable aesthetic presence.
The base is provided with the object.

Provenance
Private Belgian collection established in the early 1980s by Mr. P. and passed down to his daughter.

An invoice and a certificate of authenticity from the expert will be provided to the buyer.

The item will be sent and insured by DHL Express.

Warning
No shipping outside the European Union.
The seller guarantees and is entitled to sell/export this object.
The seller will not ship outside the EU.

Seller's Story

Our gallery was founded in 1978, specializing in classical archeology and ancient numismatics. We are located in Brussels in the Sablon antiques district.
Translated by Google Translate

Details

Culture
Ancient Egypt, Ptolemaic
Century/ Timeframe
4ème au 1er siècle avant J-C.
Name of object
Shabti
Acquired from
Private collection
Subject/Depiction
autre
Year acquired
2025
Material
Faience
Country acquired from
Belgium
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Gallery / Antique dealer
Height
15.5 cm
Previous owner - year acquired
1980
Width
4.3 cm
Previous owner - country acquired from
Belgium
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
BelgiumVerified
214
Objects sold
pro

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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