Egyptian Pale Green Faience Shabti for Heneb-heneb

Anonymous sale; Sotheby's, London, 10-11 December 1984, lot 166. with J. Uzan, Paris. R. Liechti (1934-2010) collection, Geneva, Switzerland

Discolouration to glaze from green to light green and yellow, particularly over the front of the shabti, original turquoise colour visible on the reverse of shabti over shoulders, wig and top of back pillar. Abrasion and los of glaze over left shoulder and upper arm, right hand, left side of face and wig. Dark surface speckling overall, including some heavier patches of dark pitting over the back pillar and back of wig.

Made in quantity, due to their important role in the funeral rites, shabtis are some of the most commonly collected pieces from ancient Egypt. They come in a variety of sizes, materials, colors, level of quality, and intrigue gained from their owner's titles.

Created as servants to perform manual labor on behalf of their masters in the afterlife, shabtis are commonly depicted holding the tools of their trade. Hoes, picks, and seed bags are the most numerous, but other implements can be found. To ensure they'd obey the decesed they were inscribed with the name of their master and a summoning spell. Their name "shabti" comes from this function of being summoned and mean "the answerer." They often also are inscribed with passages from the book of the dead, which would assist the deceased's safe passage into the afterlife.