A fine Egyptian Faience Ushabti for Paaboumeh, Late Period, 26th Dynasty, ca. 664 - 525 BCE

A fine quality blue-green glazed composition ushabti shown mummiform, standing on a trapezoidal base wearing a tripartite wig, with the arms crossed over the chest and the hands and head emerging from the wrappings. The features of the faces are well-defined in high-quality relief, and the strap that holds the long divine beard to the chin can be seen. The shabti holds agricultural tools in both hands; from the right hand, a twisted cord leads to a basket behind the left shoulder. Ten horizontal lines of incised inscription cover the body and legs, wrapping around to meet on either side of the back pillar. The beginning of the text gives Pa-abumeh's name and "good name" (Psamtik-seneb) and titles, the Seal Bearer of the King of Lower Egypt, the Royal Acquaintance, and identifies his father as Aakha and his mother as Tawepetnefert. This is followed by Spell 6 from the Book of the Dead, in which Pa-abumeh speaks to his shabtis, asking that they present themselves on his behalf if there is agricultural work to be done in the realm of the dead. 

Published: Christie's, London, Antiquities, 8 Apr 1998, Lot 156

For a related example see: Jacques F. Aubert – Liliane Aubert, Statuettes égyptiennes, Chaouabtis, ouchebtis (Paris, 1974), pl. 56 No 137. 

Medium: Faience

Dimensions: Height: 17.1 cm

Condition: Intact and in excellent condition overall, a very fine example.

Provenance: Private collection of an English aristocrat between 1900 - 1970. Private collection of P. Michael Trickenham, UK, from the 1970s - 1998. Private collection Wegener, Germany, from 2005 - 2008. J. Lewis private collection, acquired from the trade, Netherlands, in 2011. Accompanied by an Art Loss Register certificate.