Lot 17
Egypt, New Kingdom to Third Intermediate period, 18th to 25th Dynasty, ca. 1549 to 653 BCE. A remarkable example of a mold-formed pottery ushabti enveloped in liberal remains of black-on-white painted details and hieroglyphs. The figure stands in mummiform with fused legs and holds black-painted tools intended to help with agricultural work in the afterlife - a pick and hoe in crossed arms. The minimalist visage is crowned by a striated, tripartite wig, while a row of hieroglyphs travels vertically down the front of the body. Ushabti (or shabti) dolls are figures shaped like adult male or female mummies wearing traditional ancient Egyptian headdresses that were left in tombs to function as servants for the recently deceased and help them with agricultural work in the afterlife. Size: 1.1" L x 1.3" W x 4.5" H (2.8 cm x 3.3 cm x 11.4 cm); 5.75" H (14.6 cm) on included custom stand.
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. Thus, agricultural labor was required of all members of society, from workers to pharaohs.
Exhibited at the Drexel Museum, Philadelphia, 1895 to 1914; with the Drexel Institute Collection, Minneapolis Museum of Art, 1915 to 1958, ref. no. 16.733; at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) from 1986 to 1991; in the University of Arizona Museum of Art, October 1993 to December 1993; and in the Robert and Frances Fullerton Museum of Art (RAFFMA), California State University, San Bernardino from 1996 to 2023.
Provenance: Collection of Dr. W. Benson Harer, Los Angeles, California, USA; ex-Superior Gallery, Los Angeles, California, USA, May 20, 1977; ex-Emil Brugsch Collection, curator of the Bulaq Museum, Cairo, Egypt; Exhibited at the Drexel Museum, Philadelphia, 1895 to 1914; with the Drexel Institute Collection, Minneapolis Institute of Art, 1915 to 1958, ref. no. 16.733; at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) from 1986 to 1991; in the University of Arizona Museum of Art, October 1993 to December 1993; and in the Robert and Frances Fullerton Museum of Art (RAFFMA), California State University, San Bernardino from 1996 to 2023
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#182258
- Condition: Feet professionally reattached with adhesive slightly visible in areas and surface wear as shown. Permanently adhered to custom stand. Liberal remains of painted details and hieroglyphs.
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