You are bidding on a collection of ancient Ushabti / Shabti that I have been collecting for 5+ years. I have decided to expand my collection to include other Egyptian materials and purposes; so the vast majority of my Ushabti are up for sale. The price I am asking is $1000+ less than what I invested. Several people have expressed interest in individual pieces and as much as I would like to keep this collection together, if it does not sell I will begin listing them individually over the next few weeks.- Like most collectors, I fell prey to cheep forgeries in the beginning but learned my lessons and moved on. Each piece in this collection has been purchased from what I consider to be reputable dealers / galleries. This entire collection has also been vetted by Bob at Artemis Gallery; what I would consider a gold standard gallery for ancient art & artifacts.
Detailed photo's are included and the numbers correspond to the individual piece explanations at the bottom.- Each piece will be individually wrapped and shipped in an airtight / watertight ammo can that will then be packed in a cardboard box -unless the box is run over by a tank they should all arrive safely!
Shipping is FREE via USPS to the 50 states INSURED at $4500 (the amount I have invested) - I will NOT ship to an unconfirmed address - I will NOT ship to Italy -
See my other items!
PIC 1-5Three Authentic Ancient Egyptian Shabti / UshabtiBought - August, 24 2011 - Ancient Galleries (Flordia)
The three shabti represented here express a interesting linear history of shabti figures for the ‘common’ Egyptian. They represent a timeline from about the 19th Dynasty through the 25th Dynasty, circa 1300 BC to about 680 BC. The shabti are of the simplest and most modest forms. They are a type made for the average person, people of poor to modest means. They represent shabti for the working People. And for this very reason, they are especially interesting. They were not made for ‘show,’ or to express opulence. They were not made to impress anyone. But in fact they do that, for both collector and serious researcher. They provide a realistic view and glimpse of what the average Egyptian could hope to have with their funerary goods. Like all shabti, these fulfilled their intended purpose. They provided the owner with the ‘Answers,’ or Stand-ins he or she hoped to have in the Afterlife. They would act as servants who would make the deceased’s next life to come, easier! Their simple form tells us, there was absolutely no intended pretense of position, or social status. Shabti were included to provide a service... to ‘answer’ for the deceased, if called on to work. These shabti were ready to serve that purpose.
Of the three shabti, two are formed from dried but perishable mud. The third shabti, the earliest of the three, is made from a much harder baked Red Terra-cotta. This more durable and pricier terracotta had a much better chance of surviving the tests of time. Still in this case, protected in a shabti box, the baked or sun-dried mud shabti would also survive. As seen here, all the shabti are complete, undamaged, and appear today much as they did when first made! Each shabti is unique in it’s own way, and each shows evidence of personal ancient handling. ----------The Red Terra-cotta Shabti is a type found not early than the late 18th dynasty. This example likely dates from the early 19th dynasty. Although it appears to be damaged or chipped on top of the head, close examination would dispute any such claim. What appears as damage actually shows how the shabti was handled and held in the right hand while the terra-cotta was still soft. Indeed, it is likely, the impression on head is where the craftsman’s thumb held and pressed the surface. Likewise, light impressions on the underside of the shabti reveal where the fingers also held and pressed into that part of the soft shabti body.
The face of the shabti lacks detail, but the head is framed by a formal tripartite wig. The arms are crossed over the body, and the hands hold agricultural instruments that rest on the shoulders. The shape of the shabti’s face is consistent with it’s apparent date.
New Kingdom, Early 19th Dynasty, circa 1300 BC
Approximate size: 6.3cm x 1.7cm / 2 1/2in x 3/4in
Reference: Shabtis, W.F. Petrie. Aris & Phillips LTD, Warminster, Wilshire, England. 1974.
Page 12, #40. Plate XXXIII, #145---------------Although rough in appearance, this RARE Nile Mud Shabti has been ‘dressed up’ with a costly Egyptian Blue Wash. The wash was intended to suggest the more expensive blue glaze found on the more costly blue faience shabti of the Period.
The shabti is found to wear a formal tripartite wig. Hands are held together, against the midsection. Bearly discernible, the agricultural implements held in the hands rest on the shoulders. It is interesting to see, the shabti’s legs are separately defined, with feet together. This distinctive posture is found during the 22nd Dynasty, as is the use of blue (or green) wash over mud, to imitate glazed figures.
Third Intermediate Period, 22nd Dynasty, circa 945-715 BC
Approximate size: 5.3cm x 1.7cm / 2 1/8in x 11/16in
Reference: Shabtis, W.F. Petrie. Aris & Phillips LTD, Warminster, Wilshire, England. 1974.
Page 12, #40. , Plate XLI, #506.---------------This Grey Nile Mud Ushabti is especially interesting. Similar examples are kept in the British Museum, London (http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_image.aspx?image=ps342814.jpg&retpage=15450). The shabti is made from a very fine rich Nile mud. The mud was enriched with chopped plant fiber to strengthen the material. Evidence of this fiber can be seen behind the head. It is difficult for this writer to explain if or how the ‘grey’ color was produced. And the color may merely represents the geographical area and silt from where the mud was obtained.
One of the most notable aspects of this particular shabti are ‘ancient fingerprints.’ They are found on, over, and under the body of the ushabti! There appears to be a full and distinct ‘thumb print’ behind the shoulders, and again under the feet. The ancient prints are clear, and quite undeniable! The shabti wears the usual formal triparite wig, and this is complimented with the Osirian beard. The hidden hands hold agricultural implements against the shoulders.
Late Third Intermediate Period, 25 Dynasty. Circa 680 BC
Approximate size: 5.3cm x 1.6cm / 2 1/16in x 5/8in
References:
See the fine examples kept in the British Museum;
http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_image.aspx?image=ps342814.jpg&retpage=15450
Shabtis, W.M.F. Petrie, Aris & Phillips LTD, Warminster, Wiltshire England 1974.
Shabtis, Hans D. Schneider. Rijkmuseum Van Oudheden Te Leiden, 1977.
Part II, pg 216, #5.3.4.54. Part III, Plate 77, #5.3.4.54.
Provenance: Ex-Private New York collection. Acquired in the mid 1970’s.
PIC 6-8
Ancient Egyptian Shabti, c. 664-332 B.C.Seller info jff-amarna (eBay user ID)Bought - Sep 19, 2011
Ancient Egyptian Shabti, c. 664-32 B.C.Date: Egypt, Late Period, 26th. to 30th. Dyn. c. 664-332 B.C.Material: FaienceSize: c. 10.3 cm / 4.5" tall 1" wideCondition: broken and repaired, two timesProvenance: ex English collection
PIC 9-10
An Egyptian Late Period UshabtiBought from Live Auctioneers / Artemis Gallery Live Jun 4th, 2011
Egypt, Late period, ca. 664 – 332 B.C. Aqua-blue faience shabti; front with traces of hieroglyphs in black. Size 15,5 cm (6.10 inches) Provenance: Ex-private Vienna collection, collected between 1960 – 1980
PIC 11-13
Group of Small Ancient Egyptian Faience Figures. Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles - LOT 707Jul 23, 2011
Consists of: 2 Ushabti figures. Both Ushabti have been repaired. Each on a stand. Size: 2” to 4”. From the personal collection of Dr. Jerry Buss. Previously from the Claremont Boys School, circa 1972 through Superior Galleries.
PIC 14-16
Large Egyptian Blue Faience Shabti 650 BC! Bought through artifactsuk (eBay user name) 06/25/09
Egyptian blue faience Shabti dating to 664-343 BC acquired from an English auction house about 5 years ago. The glaze on this beautiful Shabti is an exceptionally attractive and unusual azure blue green. INTACT RESTORED AT THE WAIST.
PIC 17-19
NILE Egyptian Ushabti ca 600 BCBought from collector08888 (eBay user name) 4/10/2011
Ancient Egyptian ushabti, 11 cm tall, intact. Nile Art has over 25 years expertise and guarantees the authenticity of every piece sold.
PIC 20-21
Egyptian Faience Shabti Ex Bonhams: 300 BC! artifactsuk 11/05/103.75 inches
PIC 22-24
Late Period, blue faience ushabtiAncient Resource, LLC Auction #110: Ancient Artifacts Oct, 1 2011
Blue faience ushabti, Late Period, c. 664 - 30 BC, tall pale blue type panel of text down front, broken at the knees in the tomb, the two parts found separately so when reattached a near perfect fit but color variation, L: 6” (15.2 cm). Ex Thomas Collingwood collection, Philadelphia, acquired before 1970.
PIC 25-27
An Egyptian Faience Overseer Foreman UshabtiArtemis Gallery
Third Intermediate Period, 21st-25th Dynasty, 1070-715 BC. Apple green faience overseer / foreman ushabti with hieroglyphs and facial designs, all painted in black. Back side of head also finely painted to outline back of wig. Some tiny ancient loses to inside of left eye, otherwise in choice condition. Nicely mounted on stand. 5-1/4”H. Provenance: Ex-private San Fernando Valley, CA Collection.
PIC 28 / 29A 30A / 31
Collection of 3 Shabti c 664 - 332 BCjff-amarna (eBay user ID) Oct 16, 2011
Date: Egypt, Late Period, 26th. to 30th. Dyn. c. 664-332 B.C.Material: FaienceSize: c. 2cm / 4cm / 6cmProvenance: ex English collection
PIC 29B 30B
An Affordable and Authentic Ancient Egyptian Blue Faience ShabtiBought -
Jul 23, 2011 - Ancient Galleries
This small unassuming deep blue composition (faience) shabti is from Egypt’s Late Period. It is completely intact. It’s full face is surrounded by a formal tripartite wig, and adorned by the formal Osirian beard (that helps date it and) makes it’s purpose quite clear. For the Period, the type is typical of a modestly well to do person of means. This shabti represented one of as many as 365. Therefore as a group, a different shabti were available every day of the year. Together, they were likely placed in a wood or terracotta shabti box. The box, in which they were placed, had texts that identified the shabti and their owner. There were no confusion as to their purpose, or whom they represented. So, although this individual shabti lacked an inscription, it is not a problem!
It should also be remembered, the shabti represented only one of many elements required or desired for a proper burial. The body need to be properly mummified. The case into which the body was placed needed proper texts and decorations. The tomb walls needed proper decorations and religious texts. Personal toiletries had to be gathered and prepared. Games were needed for amusement. Utensils were needed for eating the prepared food. Clothing for everyday affairs. And specially selected texts from ‘The Book of Going forth in Day’ (Book of the Dead) were necessary. It was all needed. So, when making choices, the shabti was only one item of many. The deceased or the family might spend much more in one area than another. But all was done as they thought best. So again, as simple as this shabti may appear it does not necessarily represent a ‘poor man’s burial’ and should not be seen that way. Surely, as the word ‘shabti’ is translated, this shabti would have represented and ‘answered’ for the deceased, just as quickly as one carved from fine imported ebony, stone, or ivory. Both the family and deceased were sure of it. They knew this stand-in would well represent the deceased, if called upon, in the hereafter to work or do other required chores. That was it’s job.----------Approximately 5.5 cm or 2 3/8 inches tall30th Dynasty to Ptolemaic Period, Circa 400-100 BC----------Reference:Shabtis, W.M.F. Petrie. Aris & Phillips LTD, 1974 reprint. Plate XLI, #531.Shabtis, Hans D. Schneider. Rijkmuseum Van Oudheden Te Leiden, 1977. Part II, pg 218-9, #5.3.4.82. Part III, Plate 78, #5.3.4.82.Provenance: Ex-Private New York collection. Acquired in the mid 1970’s, Cairo Egypt.
PIC 29C 30C
Ancient Egyptian Blue Faience ShabtiBought from del550 (eBay user ID) 05 Sep, 201120:47:15 BST
An Ancient Egyptian Blue Faience Shabti dating to about 200 B.C. 5.2 cm long / Repaired
PIC 32-33
Nice Ancient Egyptian Faience Ushabti Late Periodsdic.caesar30 Jun, 201113:45:59
Egyptian Ushabti Late Periods / 9.8 cm high / Blue glaze
PIC 34
An Authentic Ancient Egyptian Shabti - UshabtiBought - Jul 23, 2011 - Ancient Galleries
This light blue glazed faience Egyptian ushabti figure dates from the Late Period, 26th - 27th Dynasty. It is completely intact, without damages or repairs. Only light traces of, easily removable, burial debris can be seen on the surface. The large un-inscribed figure wears a full length tripartite wig. The heavy traditional wig reaches over the shoulders, to the length of a long Osirian ceremonial beard. The arms are folded and crossed over the chest. Only the hands and face are exposed, from underneath the funerary wrappings. This shabti is very well prepared to work for the deceased, in the afterlife. With arms crossed, we see, agricultural implements are held with each hand. The handle of a pick is held with the left hand, and the pick rests upon the right shoulder. Likewise, the handle of a hoe is held with the right hand, and hoe rests upon the left shoulder. The suggestion of a seed sack, carried on the back, lies over the left shoulder. This tall, proud, and dignified figure stands assuredly on a high pedestal base. There is a supporting back pillar behind. The pedestal and back pillar are clearly not needed. But the shape is used to suggest the dignity found with commissioned stone statuary.
Height (just under) 5 inches or 12.5 cm26th / 27th Dynasty, circa 664 - 404 BC.Provenance: Ex-Private European Collection.
BONUS
Shire Egyptology Egyptian Shabtis, by Harry M Stewart
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