Large Momiform Servant - Wooden Oushebti - 35cm Height - Egyptian Archaeology

Large Momiform Servant - Wooden Oushebti - 35cm Tall - Archaeology Egypt

Large Oushebti from the Ramesside period

An oushebti is a funerary figurine from ancient Egypt, usually made of clay, wood or stone. These figurines were placed in the tombs of the deceased and were intended to serve the deceased in the afterlife. The word "oushebti" literally means "the one who answers" in ancient Egyptian, referring to their function as assistants to the deceased in the afterlife. oushebtis were often inscribed with a magic formula or summons, asking them to perform agricultural work or other tasks in favor of the deceased, so that the latter could rest in the afterlife. The number of figures in a tomb could vary from a few to several hundred.

The large size of our oushebti is unusual. At 35cm high, it's one of the larger formats.
Made of palm wood, the oushebti is polychrome. A red slip covers most of the body. The headdress and eye kohl are black. The cartouche on the chest is written in black on a beige background. It has not yet been translated.

This mummiform oushebti has the (rare) particularity of not having been repainted in the modern period.
It is supplied with its black metal base custom-made by ArmandBonnafond (BAM)

35cm high
Ramesside period circa 1200-1000 BC
Provenance: private collection from Tarn.