Lot 8A
Egypt, Late Period, Dynasty Thirty (XXX), ca. 380 to 343 BCE. A mummiform faience ushabti (shabti) with blue glaze and details in relief. The ushabti wears a tripartite wig and pleated divine beard, with its face nicely modeled, its arms crossed over its chest holding a pick axe and a hoe, a seed basket suspended over its left shoulder by cord, a dorsal pillar, and a trapezoidal base. Around the base are nine horizontal bands of incised hieroglyphic text from Chapter VI of the Book of the Dead naming the owner as Sema-Taui. Sameref (the son whom he loves) is a priestly title connected with the necropolis of Heracleopolis Magna, a metropolis at the entrance of the Fayum (now the Abusir El-Melek). Semi-taui (he who unifies the two lands) was a falcon headed diety worshipped here. Comes with custom stand. Size: 2.3" W x 8.4" H (5.8 cm x 21.3 cm); height on stand: 8.85" (22.5 cm)
The inscription has been translated: "(1) Illuminating of the Osiris, the Sameref-priest, commander of the troop, Semitaui, son of Sheri [the child], born of Tashepset [ the noble one is content](2) herti, he says: Oh these shabtis, if one counts (3) the Osiris, Semitaui to do the work in the necropolis."
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 pharaohs. The wealthier nobility in Egyptian society were able to have ushabtis made of faience; blue faience was meant to reflect the color of the river Nile both on earth and in the afterlife.
Art Loss Certificate No: S00063705
Provenance: ex-Treasurgate Gallery, Brussels, Belgium; ex-private Polish collection formed in early 1900s
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#124482
- Condition: Intact, with light flaking and encrustation.
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