Egyptian Turquoise Faience Shabti for Waibremen

with Gallery Drees Archeo, Brussels, 1980

Intact with no visible repair or restoration. Some small areas of thinner glaze application where it has fired and the core still remains visible as light beige areas eg: a small patch over base of hieroglyphic column at ankle area; very small patches around neck line and sides of beard; and edges of back column. Some small patches of darker mottling particularly on edges and underside of integral plinth and back of wig, both shoulders and just above right eye. Mounted with metal and wood mount.

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.