Lot 1
Egypt, New Kingdom, 20th Dynasty, ca. 1100 BCE. The finest painted wood ushabti we have ever handled! Carved wood figure in mummiform pose, this one an overseer - commanding the work of the 10 worker ushabtis under her - covered in gesso. The ushabti depicts Lady Anhai in a mummiform pose, with arms crossed over her chest. She wears a long, tight-fitting garment adorned with a vertical band of hieroglyphs painted in black on a gold background. Traces of blue and green pigments are visible on the dress, and her dark hair falls over her shoulders. The facial expression is solemn, reflecting the funerary purpose of the figure. Size: 2.125"" W x 7.75"" H (5.4 cm x 19.7 cm); 10.75"" H (27.3 cm) on included custom stand
The powerful story of the beautiful Anhai on her journey to the afterlife was well known to ancient Egyptians, which is why this funerary figurine was made in her image. Figurines such as this one were known as ushabti, which were placed in tombs and were intended to act as protectors of the recently deceased. Ushabtis were an essential part of burial customs, especially from the Middle Kingdom, c. 20401782 B.C., all the way through the Late Period, c. 664332 B.C. They were magical spiritual figures intended to serve the deceased in the afterlife, ensuring they would not have to perform manual labor themselves, ensuring their comfort and eliminating the need for them to work.
If wealthy enough, your ushabti (or multiple) would be created with your likeness, but all typically took the form of a mummiform figure (a body wrapped like a mummy) holding farming tools, such as hoes and baskets, ready for labor when called upon. In the Egyptian Afterlife, deceased from the poorer classes to royalty were thought to be called upon to perform tasks such as farming or construction. Maintaining the fields of Aaru (heavenly realm) were seen as a dignified and prideful act, with people of even the upper classes depicted in their tombs doing farm work in the heavens. Their mummiform shape linked them to Osiris, the god of the afterlife and resurrection. There was usually a version of the Shabti Spell from the Book of the Dead (Spell 6), instructing the figure to act as a servant when summoned." The powerful story of the beautiful Anhai on her journey to the afterlife was well known to ancient Egyptians, which is why this funerary figurine was made in her image. Figurines such as this one were known as ushabti, which were placed in tombs and were intended to act as protectors of the recently deceased. Ushabtis were an essential.
This exact ushabti is referenced in Egypt-museum.com - search Lady Anhai for photos and text.
Provenance: private Boca Raton, Florida, USA collection private Boca Raton, Florida, USA collection acquired from Baidun Gallery, Jerusalem, Israel.
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#194882
- Condition: Intact and quite excellent. Minor pigment wear as shown.
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