Ancient Egyptian Faience Ushabti, 20th Dynasty - Ancient Egypt

An Egyptian funerary figurine of the Ushabti (or Shabti) type, made of siliceous faience with a glaze that is now partially faded, resting on an antique wooden display base bearing handwritten and engraved identification. The inscriptions on the base read: “Egyptian Ushabti of Ankh-es-en-Ptah – 20th Dynasty – c. 1200–1085 B.C.”

This piece represents a funerary servant intended to accompany the deceased into the afterlife according to ancient Egyptian beliefs. Ushabtis were placed in tombs to symbolically perform the tasks of the deceased in the realm of Osiris. The figurine still bears visible traces of painted hieroglyphs as well as a beautiful archaeological patina with concretions and signs of wear consistent with its age.