These enigmatic figures of the ancient Egyptian dead are perhaps the most commonly recognised of Egyptian artefacts. They are certainly the most highly prized amongst collectors as they reveal much of interest about the ancient Egyptians and their way of life. This week, we have a couple of these fantastic figures for auction at Catawiki!
Written by Keith R. Amery - Expert Archaeological Finds and Remains
Working & overseeing
The ushabti occurs in two basic forms: the mummiform worker figure and the overseer figures which are distinct in appearance, showing the deceased in daily dress, but with the whip of office conspicuously draped over the shoulder. The figures themselves are referred to either as ‘Shawabti’s’ or (U)Shabtis. It is believed they were named from the wood of the Persea (Shawab) tree when rough stick-figures were first made in the Egyptian Middle Kingdom (C.2055-1650 B.C.).
Serving the dead
Shabti’s have their own chapter in the ancient Egyptian Book of the Dead, ‘The Shabti Spell’ (Chapter 6) to make them do the work of the deceased in the afterlife. ‘Oh Shabti, if x is called upon to do work, to ferry sand from the East to the West, here I am you shall say’. It is in this role of ‘Answerer’ (Shabti) for the deceased that they are known as Shabtis or Ushabtis.
One worker a day
Distinctive styles can be recognised from all major periods of Egyptian history from the Middle Kingdom origins of the ‘peg’ shawabti to glass figures of the Roman era in Egypt (30 B.C.-395 A.D.) Ideally, the deceased would have a complement of 401 figures – one worker for every day of the year and one overseer for every ten workers.
A collectors’ item
The figures are popular with collectors as they give the names and titles of the tomb owner, and even some genealogical affiliation. The best made and largest ushabti’s were often made for royalty and the Egyptian tradition passed to the neighbouring African Kingdom of Kush (Sudan) during the 25th Dynasty when Egypt was subjugated by her African neighbour. The largest and highest quality ushabti’s are extremely rare on the market and can fetch in excess of €100,000.
This week for auction at Catawiki
Catawiki is offering a rare carved serpentine example from the time of the Nubian pharaohs of the Twenty-fifth Dynasty for the “Singer of the Inside”, Di Aset Heb Sed – “The Goddess Isis gives a festival to her” (literally in her honour). This shabti is not only rare in being carved stone, but represents a female temple singer, one of the high status female roles in ancient Egypt. Her tomb was discovered in the court of the temple of Rameses III at Medinet Habu, on the West Bank of the Nile at ancient Thebes (near modern day Luxor). There are also some other ushabti’s for auction this week, including this Egyptian turquoise blue ushabti, this shabti of Horsiese Son to Padihor and this shabti of Senankh. If you want to sell at Catawiki, take a look here.