Egyptian Faience Ushabti

3rd Intermediate Period, 21th Dynasty, c. 1070-712 BC, Egypt

This Egyptian faience ushabti, dating from the 3rd Intermediate Period, 21st Dynasty (c. 1070-712 BC), is a captivating example of the intricate artistry and spiritual significance of ancient Egyptian funerary practices. The ushabti stands in mummiform, with its legs fused together, reflecting the standard position for these figures. While the feet have been lost over time, the figure still holds its shape, standing as a testament to the craftsmanship of ancient artisans. The figure's hands are crossed over its chest, each holding a pick and hoe, emphasizing the role of the ushabti in the afterlife. These tools symbolize the agricultural labor the deceased was believed to undertake in the "Field of Reeds," a paradise under the rule of Osiris, the god of the underworld.

A seed bag hangs from the figure’s rounded shoulders, further suggesting its function as a laborer, tasked with sowing and cultivating the lands of the afterlife. The figure’s face is minimalist yet elegant, with slender eyes marked by elongated outer canthi, a small nose, smooth cheeks tapering into a rounded chin, and a tall forehead crowned with a headband. The head is framed by a tripartite wig, common in representations of the period, highlighting the figure's connection to the afterlife and its association with the elite classes.

Ushabti figures, or shabti dolls, were integral to Egyptian burial rituals. The belief was that the deceased's spirit would be required to perform manual labor in the afterlife, and these figurines were crafted to act as substitutes. The use of faience, a material highly prized in ancient Egypt, underscores the importance of the figure. Faience was a glazed composition made from quartz or sand crystals and copper oxide, giving the pieces their distinctive blue or blue-green color. Known as "tjehnet" to the Egyptians, meaning "brilliant" or "dazzling," this material was associated with the Nile and with rebirth, making it a fitting medium for objects intended to ensure the deceased’s prosperous journey into the afterlife.

Good condition. Surface wear and abrasions commensurate with age, nicks and chip, with fading to some finer features, with glazing flaws and fritting. Size approx. 6,2cm x 2,5cm x 1,6cm.

Provenance: Belgian private collection