Egyptian Faience Ushabti for the Priest Nacht-Heneb

G. Geyer Collection, Washington DC, 1990's. Art Market New York, December 29th, 2004. David Zahler Collection, Newport Beach California. Thence by descent.

Fine condition. Intact and in an excellent state of preservation retaining finely executed details, much of its original glaze, and a high polish. With tiny chips and losses to the rear pillar.

The intended purpose for these curious figures was to act as helpers in carrying out the necessary work in the next world. The ancient Egyptians were completely prepared for the after-life and placed these objects around the tomb chamber to perform the necessary tasks required in the next world. The linguistic origin of the word is of unknown meaning; however, from the end of the Old Kingdom the Egyptians had interpreted it to mean "the answerer.” The work most often afforded to these figurines consisted of sowing the fields, filling the canals with water and carrying sand, soil, or provisions. In order to cultivate and properly irrigate the land, the ushabti is provided with the proper implements: a hoe, a pick as well as a basket. As per the custom, our example here is properly equipped holding a hoe, used to mix clay for making bricks, a pointed pick, used for opening the ground - and a basket slung over the shoulder for carrying the seeds and sand.

Vera v. Droste zu Huelshoff et al., Aegyptische Bildwerke Band II: Statuetten, Gefaessa un Geraete (Melsungen, 1991), cat. nos. 68, pp. 137-139, & 78, pp. 161-162.

For a published, larger example see: Agypten, Augenblicke der Ewigkeit, Unbekannte schätze aus Schweizer Privatbesitz. Madeleine Page Gasser - André B. Wiese, Mainz, 1997.