Ancient Egyptian - faience - Shabti
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Current bid
€ 20
No reserve price
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Selected by Peter Reynaers
Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.
Estimate € 380 - € 450
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Ancient Egyptian faience shabti dating to c.1550–332 BC, in good condition with surface encrustations, turquoise glaze, approx. 35 mm high, 8 mm wide, 5 mm deep, weight about 3.51 g, sold with stand.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Ancient Egypt – Faience Shabti – New Kingdom to Late Period (c. 1550–332 BC)
Material: Faience
Size: Approx. 35 mm
Weight: Approx. 3.51 g
Condition: Beautifully preserved with surface encrustations
Provenance: From an old European collection, acquired prior to 2000
A finely preserved ancient Egyptian faience shabti, displaying a vibrant turquoise glaze with traces of burial accretions. Despite its small size, the figure is well-formed, showing the characteristic mummiform posture with arms crossed.
Meaning & Function
Shabtis (also called ushabtis) were funerary servant figures placed in tombs to serve the deceased in the Afterlife. According to Egyptian belief, the dead might be called upon to perform agricultural labour in the Fields of Osiris. A magical spell (usually Spell 6 from the Book of the Dead) ensured that the shabti would answer on behalf of the owner whenever summoned, performing the required tasks in their stead.
Thus, shabtis acted as a form of spiritual labour substitute, ensuring comfort, ease, and eternal provision for the tomb owner. Wealthier individuals were sometimes buried with hundreds of them—one for each day of the year, plus overseers—while smaller examples like this served as personal, affordable protections for the afterlife.
Description
This example retains its original faience glaze, a material prized in Egypt for its symbolic association with rebirth, life, and divine radiance. The compact, neatly moulded form is typical of the New Kingdom to Late Period, when shabtis became widespread and democratised across social classes.
Condition
Very good ancient condition with glaze preservation and minor encrustations from burial. No restoration. A highly attractive piece.
A charming and culturally significant funerary figurine representing one of the most iconic artefacts of ancient Egyptian belief.
Important: The seller guarantees the item has been legally acquired and is authorised for sale. (24)
Ancient Egypt – Faience Shabti – New Kingdom to Late Period (c. 1550–332 BC)
Material: Faience
Size: Approx. 35 mm
Weight: Approx. 3.51 g
Condition: Beautifully preserved with surface encrustations
Provenance: From an old European collection, acquired prior to 2000
A finely preserved ancient Egyptian faience shabti, displaying a vibrant turquoise glaze with traces of burial accretions. Despite its small size, the figure is well-formed, showing the characteristic mummiform posture with arms crossed.
Meaning & Function
Shabtis (also called ushabtis) were funerary servant figures placed in tombs to serve the deceased in the Afterlife. According to Egyptian belief, the dead might be called upon to perform agricultural labour in the Fields of Osiris. A magical spell (usually Spell 6 from the Book of the Dead) ensured that the shabti would answer on behalf of the owner whenever summoned, performing the required tasks in their stead.
Thus, shabtis acted as a form of spiritual labour substitute, ensuring comfort, ease, and eternal provision for the tomb owner. Wealthier individuals were sometimes buried with hundreds of them—one for each day of the year, plus overseers—while smaller examples like this served as personal, affordable protections for the afterlife.
Description
This example retains its original faience glaze, a material prized in Egypt for its symbolic association with rebirth, life, and divine radiance. The compact, neatly moulded form is typical of the New Kingdom to Late Period, when shabtis became widespread and democratised across social classes.
Condition
Very good ancient condition with glaze preservation and minor encrustations from burial. No restoration. A highly attractive piece.
A charming and culturally significant funerary figurine representing one of the most iconic artefacts of ancient Egyptian belief.
Important: The seller guarantees the item has been legally acquired and is authorised for sale. (24)
Details
Era
Before 1400
Culture
Ancient Egyptian
Title additional information
Egyptian Faience Shabti
Century/ Timeframe
c. 1550–332 BC
Acquired from
Antique market
No. of items
1
Material
faience
Year acquired
2019
Ethnic group/ culture
Ancient Egyptian
Country of Origin
Egypt
Country acquired from
United Kingdom
Height
35 mm
Previous owner acquired from
Private collection
Width
8 mm
Sold with stand
Yes
Previous owner - year acquired
1990
Depth
5 mm
Previous owner - country acquired from
United Kingdom
Condition
Good condition - used with small signs of aging & blemishes
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Sold by
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.
