Ancient Egyptian faience shabti 4th-1st century BC.

A nice little anepigraphic shabti in blue-green faience. The figure is depicted in typical mummiform with tripartite wig and false beard. The hands are crossed over the chest and hold agricultural implements the seed bag is slung over the left shoulder the reverse shows a shallow back pillar and stands on an integral base. Supplied with a modern acrylic stand.

Ptolemaic period: Circa 4th-1st century BC.

Height 11 cms (4.3 ins)

Condition: A neat and professional repair to the lower legs otherwise complete and intact with good colour and glaze, nice details to face. a few light encrustations.

Provenance: From a private collection acquired by the previous owner’s father in the 1950’s

Ushabti figure, also spelled shabti or shawabty, are the small statuettes that are often found in ancient Egyptian tombs. Their purpose was to act as a magical substitute for the deceased owner when the gods requested him to undertake menial tasks in the afterlife the word ushabti is usually translated as “answerer.”