Ancient Egypt

A mummy-shaped shabti, wrapped in a shroud that leaves only the head and hands exposed. With serene features, it wears a smooth three-part wig and a braided Osirian beard, identifying the deceased with the god Osiris. The hands protrude from the shroud, crossed over the chest, holding a pickaxe and a hoe in relief, traditional agricultural tools. It features a vertical column of hieroglyphic text engraved on the front of the legs. The turquoise-green glaze was a symbol of regeneration and fertility, evoking the colour of papyrus shoots and the rebirth of Osiris. The term Ushabti means ‘the one who answers’. Its function was to act as a substitute for the deceased in the afterlife, answering the call to perform physical labour (especially agricultural work) in the fields of Iaru (the Egyptian paradise). Provenance: Auction House Paris, Néret-Minet and Coutau-Bégarie, 1986; Acquired at auction house, France, 2026 Statement seen by Catawiki. The seller guarantees that he is entitled to ship this lot. The seller will take care that any necessary permits will be arranged. The seller will inform the buyer about this if this takes more than a few days. For buyers outside the European Union (EU) a Spanish export license is required. This will take several weeks to arrange. Due to Switzerland customs regulations, this lot cannot be sold to customers residing in Switzerland

Estimate:£2,012.47

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