*Ancient Egypt 672-525 BC. 26th Dynasty Ushabti Of A Worker In Blue Green Glazed Faience With COA

Very rare Ushabti representation of a worker from the Ancient Egypt. 

Exceptional large and very impressive funeral tomb piece, from the ancient Egyptian 26th dynasty, 672-525 bc.

This ushabti male figurine, stands in a mummiform position supported by a rectangular back pillar on an integral rectangular plinth. Is depicted as an osiris field's worker or farmer, with his crossed arms. He's holding a hoe and a pick, with a seed bag held by a cord slung over his left shoulder. He's wearing a headdress and have an osiris-type beard, with ten (usually 9 or less) horizontal hieroglyphic registers on his leg (not translated). These agricultural implements reference to the ushabti function to perform agricultural labor on behalf of the deceased in the afterlife.

This ushabti is made from faience, a quartz-based glazed ceramic with which the ancient egyptians were highly adept at working. It was likely formed by first pressing the mixture of crushed sand with quartz into a mold, which was then heated to fuse all together. After being removed from the mold and allowed to harden, the final details, include the individual hieroglyphs and the facial features of the ushabti, were refined carefully carved by hand, before the final firing and the glazing.

Shabtis or Ushabtis, were first introduced in the middle kingdom as substitutes for the mummy, in case it was destroyed. During the new kingdom period, this figured assumed a new role as a direct servant. Were placed in tombs among the grave goods and were intended to act as servants or minions for the deceased. Always in quantities of 365 workers and 36 overseers, one for each day of the year. This servants should be called upon to do manual labor in the afterlife. The figurines frequently carried a hoe on their shoulder and a basket on their back, implying they were intended to farm for the deceased. They were usually written on by the use of hieroglyphs typically found on the legs or the reverse. They carried inscriptions asserting their readiness to answer the god's summon to work.

The Twenty-sixth Dynasty of Egypt, was the last native dynasty to rule Egypt before the Persian conquest in 525 BC (although others followed). The dynasty's reign (664–525 BC) is also called the Saite Period after the city of Sais, where its pharaohs had their capital, and marks the beginning of the Late Period of ancient Egypt. This dynasty traced its origins to the Twenty-fourth Dynasty. Psamtik I was probably a descendant of Bakenranef, and following the Neo-Assyrian Empire's invasions during the reigns of Taharqa and Tantamani, he was recognized as sole king over all of Egypt. Psamtik formed alliances with King Gyges of Lydia, who sent him mercenaries from Caria and ancient Greece which Psamtik used to unify all of Egypt under his rule. In 605 BCE, an Egyptian force under Necho II of the Twenty-sixth Dynasty fought the Babylonians at the Battle of Carchemish, helped by the remnants of the army of the former Assyria, but this was met with defeat. With the sack of Nineveh in 612 BC and the fall of the Assyrian Empire, both Psamtik and his successors attempted to reassert Egyptian power in the Near East, but were driven back by the Neo-Babylonian Empire under Nebuchadnezzar II. With the help of Greek mercenaries, Apries was able to hold back Babylonian attempts to conquer Egypt. The Persians would eventually invade Egypt in 525 BCE, when their king, Cambyses II, captured and later executed Psamtik III.

Has a measurements of 216 mm by 57.15 mm by 38.36 mm (8.5 by 2.25 by 1.51 Inches),(21.6 x 5.7 x 3.84 cm) inches. It is presented in a custom made museum stand.

Provenance: A private collection in New York city. Windsor Antiques Gallery New York city. Acquired in New York city in 2005. Our personal collection.

Collateral: This piece is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity.

An impressive example in perfect and intact condition, with absolutely no cracks or previous restorations, extremely rare to see in this condition and size.

INVENTORY REF: D0000ETNN/.1111