Faience Ushabti

Faience Ushabti for Tjai-en-Hebu Dynasty 26, Reign of Amasis, ca 570-525 BC Mummiform, very fine quality, faience with blue-green glaze, beautiful patina, details in relief, with a tripartite wig, plaited devine beard curled at tip, facial details in high relief, hands crossed over chest carrying a pic and hoe, seed bag on cord suspended over left shoulder, with dorsal pillar and trapezoidal base, twelve horizontal bands of incised hieroglyphic text wrapped around legs and over feet naming the owner as Tjai-en-Hebu, born to Ta-nefert-iyti. Titles include Overseer of the Royal Ships and Overseer of the Scribes of the Magistrates; 401 ushabtis were recorded in his tomb. (365 workers and 36 supervisors)

Inscriptions  contain the 6th chapter of the Book of the Dead, translated as:

“Illumine the Osiris Tjai-en-Hebu, whose word is truth. Hail, Shabti Figure! If the Osiris Tjai-en-Hebu be decreed to do any of the work which is to be done in Khert-Neter, let everything which standeth in the way be removed from him- whether it be to plough the fields, or to fill the channels with water, or to carry sand from the East to the West. The Shabti Figure replieth: “I will do it, verily I am here when thou callest”.

Provenance: Egypt, tomb discovered by Barasanti & Maspero near the pyramid of Unas (Saqqara). Private American collection, acquired from Medusa Ancient Art, Montreal, QC. Ex. Belgian Collection of Jansen, 1975. Art Loss Certificate # S00047794.