Ancient Egypt, Ptolemaic Faience Shabti - 19 cm

Shabti. Ptolemaic Period (664-30 BC). Attached provenance documentation.

Shabtis were servant figures that were placed in Egyptian tombs, that carried out the tasks required of the deceased in the afterlife. It was necessary for the owner's name to be inscribed on an ushabti, along with a phrase sending them to action.

The figurines were inscribed with the "shabti text" – chapter 6 of the Book of the Dead – a spell that exhorts the shabti to substitute itself if the owner is asked to till the fields, irrigate the land, or transport sand from east to west. To this end, even royal shabtis are often depicted clutching a pick and a hoe, and with a basket hanging over one or both shoulders.

Provenance: Purchased by the current owner to an US art gallery. Previously owned by Gerald Stockton (Los Angeles; 1970s).

The Supplier warrants that he obtained this lot legally. Provenance statement seen by Catawiki. Important information. The seller guarantees that he is entitled to ship this lot. The seller will take care that any necessary permits will be arranged. The seller will inform the buyer about this if this takes more than a few days.

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