Description:

Egypt, 21st Dynasty (Third Intermediate Period), ca. 1077 to 943 BCE. This is a pair of ushabtis a faience coating and some black heiroglyphic markings/decoration. Both have their arms crossed over their chests and are holding hoes (for a clearer photo of a shabti holding hoes in the similar manner, see the Faience shabti of Sety I on the British Museum website). Shabti (or ushabti) dolls are figures shaped like adult male or female mummies wearing the traditional ancient Egyptian headdresses. The ancient Egyptians believed that after they died, their spirits would have to work in the "Field of Reeds" owned by the god of the underworld, Osiris. This meant doing agricultural labor -- and it was required by all members of society, from workers to pharoahs. The more wealthy and nobility in Egyptian society were able to have shabtis made of faience; blue faience was meant to reflect the color of the river Nile both on earth and in the afterlife. The heiroglyphic inscriptions gave the shabti their power, telling Osiris that they were to do work for him. Size (both are very similar): 4-1/2"H x 1-3/4"W x 1-1/4"L (11-1/2 cm x 4-1/2 cm x 3 cm).

Provenance: Ex-State Supreme Court Judge Michael Catalano, NY, acquired mid-20th century.

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#110626

  • Condition: Some chipping, but overall intact; heiroglyphs are visible but not readable.

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November 19, 2015 8:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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