{"product_id":"ancient-egyptian-blue-faience-ushabti-figure-664-30-bce","title":"Ancient Egyptian Turquoise-Blue Faience Ushabti Funerary Figure | Late Period–Ptolemaic, 664–30 BCE","description":"\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHistorical Context \u0026amp; Origin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRegion:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ancient Egypt\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Turquoise-Blue Glazed Egyptian Faience\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePeriod:\u003c\/strong\u003e Late Period–Ptolemaic Period, circa 664–30 BCE\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDescription\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis attractive miniature ancient Egyptian faience ushabti funerary figure features the traditional mummiform appearance associated with ancient Egyptian burial practices. Its distinctive turquoise-blue glazed surface, sculpted facial features, and compact proportions reflect the craftsmanship of Egyptian funerary figurines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe figure features a rounded head with softly modelled facial features, framed by a stylized tripartite wig extending along the shoulders. Its simplified facial details retain the recognizable characteristics of traditional Egyptian ushabti sculpture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBoth arms are represented in raised relief across the chest, with the hands positioned near the centre of the torso. This arrangement reflects conventional ushabti imagery, in which funerary servant figures were frequently depicted holding agricultural implements associated with their responsibilities in the afterlife.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe elongated mummiform body narrows toward a distinctive, forward-projecting foot or base, creating a recognizable silhouette despite the figure's miniature size.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eParticularly appealing is the surviving turquoise-blue glaze, which contrasts with areas of cream and earthy-brown material. The surface displays an irregular, textured appearance, with localized glaze losses exposing the underlying body and scattered mineral-like deposits.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe facial modelling, crossed-arm arrangement, and overall sculptural form remain identifiable. No clearly legible hieroglyphic inscription is visible on the surviving surfaces.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe reverse is comparatively plain, with a softly rounded contour and areas of surviving blue coloration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeatures\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Ancient Egyptian miniature funerary ushabti figure\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Brilliant turquoise-blue glazed faience with variations in colour and texture\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Traditional elongated mummiform body\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Rounded head with simplified facial modelling\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Stylized tripartite wig framing the face and shoulders\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Raised arms positioned across the upper torso in the traditional ushabti arrangement\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Sculptural detailing associated with Egyptian funerary servant figures\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Distinctive forward-projecting foot or base\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Areas of surviving blue glaze, exposed lighter material, surface pitting, fine cracking, and earthy-brown deposits\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Compact proportions characteristic of miniature Egyptian funerary figurines\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCultural Significance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUshabti figures, also known as shabtis or shawabtis, represent one of the most enduring expressions of ancient Egyptian beliefs concerning death, resurrection, and eternal existence.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThese miniature human figures were placed within tombs to serve the deceased in the afterlife, where they were believed to magically undertake agricultural and other labour on their owner's behalf.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe tradition was closely associated with Chapter 6 of the Egyptian \u003cem\u003eBook of the Dead\u003c\/em\u003e, which contained an invocation instructing the figures to respond whenever the deceased was called upon to perform work in the next world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAs Egyptian funerary traditions developed, wealthy individuals were sometimes buried with substantial collections of ushabtis, including groups intended to provide workers throughout the year. During the Late Period and into Ptolemaic Egypt, faience ushabtis remained an important component of funerary equipment. Some were elaborately inscribed with hieroglyphic prayers and personal names, while others were manufactured in simpler, uninscribed forms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eEgyptian faience was particularly prized for its brilliant blue and turquoise coloration. Produced from a quartz-rich composition with a vitreous glaze, its luminous surface evoked the colours of turquoise and other precious materials.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBlue-green hues also carried powerful associations with life, fertility, regeneration, and eternal renewal, making faience particularly meaningful for objects intended to accompany the deceased into the afterlife.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe present figure reflects these longstanding Egyptian funerary traditions through its traditional mummiform appearance, crossed-arm arrangement, and distinctive turquoise-blue surface.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe figure displays considerable surface wear, with areas of surviving turquoise-blue coloration alongside localized glaze losses, pitting, discoloration, and brown surface deposits.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFine cracks and fissures are visible, particularly around the head and upper sections. The facial features and raised arm details are softened, while the lower body exhibits additional surface irregularities and wear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe foot or base retains its noticeably curved, forward-projecting form. The overall mummiform silhouette remains clearly recognizable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions (Approximate)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHeight: 2.25 in\u003cbr\u003e\nWidth: 0.75 in\u003cbr\u003e\nDepth: 0.35 in\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAge (Approximate)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e2,050–2,700 years old\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProvenance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFormerly part of a private collection in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, specializing in ancient Egyptian artifacts. The collection reflects a focused interest in Egyptian antiquities and material culture, including objects associated with the civilization's funerary beliefs and religious traditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLearn More\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDiscover the funerary significance and craftsmanship of ancient Egyptian shabtis through the Worker Shabti of Henettawy at \u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.metmuseum.org\/art\/collection\/search\/625423\" title=\"Worker Shabti of Henettawy – The Metropolitan Museum of Art\"\u003eThe Metropolitan Museum of Art\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBrowse Our \u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/relicandrarity.com\/collections\/ancient-egyptian-mummies-artifacts\" title=\"Ancient Egyptian Mummies \u0026amp; Artifacts – Relic \u0026amp; Rarity\"\u003eCollection of Ancient Egyptian Mummies \u0026amp; Artifacts\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Relic \u0026 Rarity","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67848452014402,"sku":null,"price":425.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0955\/1803\/2194\/files\/First_photo_design_-_2026-10-22T150027.461.jpg?v=1792698791","url":"https:\/\/relicandrarity.com\/products\/ancient-egyptian-blue-faience-ushabti-figure-664-30-bce","provider":"Relic \u0026 Rarity","version":"1.0","type":"link"}