Ancient Egyptian Faience Mummiform Ushabti | Circa 600 – 30 BCE

Provenance & Ownership History
More Less

Ex Secret Eye Gallery, New York City, acquired in the 1980s. Secret Eye Gallery was a New York City antiquities gallery active during the 1970s and 1980s under proprietor Hamdi El-Gabry, dealing in ancient Egyptian, Classical, Near Eastern, and related archaeological material.

Subsequently with Palmyra Heritage Gallery, New York, 2026. Palmyra Heritage Gallery is a New York antiquities dealer specializing in ancient Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Pre-Columbian, Islamic, and related archaeological material.

$650.00
$650.00
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Ancient Egyptian blue-green faience ushabti figure circa 600–30 BCE
Late Period Egyptian funerary ushabti with crossed arms and headdress
Ptolemaic Period faience ushabti with turquoise glaze and burial deposits
Small ancient Egyptian mummiform ushabti figure measuring 2.75 inches tall
Egyptian faience funerary servant with mineral encrustation and glaze loss
Ancient blue-green ushabti with simplified facial features and projecting feet
Egyptian burial figure with surviving turquoise glaze and dark mineral patina
Ancient Egyptian faience ushabti representing an afterlife servant
  • Ancient Egyptian blue-green faience ushabti figure circa 600–30 BCE
  • Late Period Egyptian funerary ushabti with crossed arms and headdress
  • Ptolemaic Period faience ushabti with turquoise glaze and burial deposits
  • Small ancient Egyptian mummiform ushabti figure measuring 2.75 inches tall
  • Egyptian faience funerary servant with mineral encrustation and glaze loss
  • Ancient blue-green ushabti with simplified facial features and projecting feet
  • Egyptian burial figure with surviving turquoise glaze and dark mineral patina
  • Ancient Egyptian faience ushabti representing an afterlife servant
Ancient Egyptian blue-green faience ushabti figure circa 600–30 BCE
Late Period Egyptian funerary ushabti with crossed arms and headdress
Ptolemaic Period faience ushabti with turquoise glaze and burial deposits
Small ancient Egyptian mummiform ushabti figure measuring 2.75 inches tall
Egyptian faience funerary servant with mineral encrustation and glaze loss
Ancient blue-green ushabti with simplified facial features and projecting feet
Egyptian burial figure with surviving turquoise glaze and dark mineral patina
Ancient Egyptian faience ushabti representing an afterlife servant
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Ancient Egyptian Faience Mummiform Ushabti | Circa 600 – 30 BCE

Description
More Less

Historical Context & Origin

Region: Egypt
Material: Blue-green glazed faience
Period: Late Period to Ptolemaic Period, circa 600–30 BCE

Description

This ancient Egyptian faience ushabti figure is modeled in traditional mummiform form, with the body shown tightly wrapped and the arms crossed across the chest. The figure retains a recognizable head and headdress, simplified facial features, and an elongated body terminating in projecting feet.

The surface preserves areas of vivid blue-green faience glaze, now extensively mottled with dark mineral deposits, encrustation, and age-related discoloration. The contrast between the surviving turquoise glaze and darker burial deposits gives the figure a highly archaeological appearance.

Ushabtis were placed in ancient Egyptian tombs to serve the deceased in the afterlife. They were intended to answer on behalf of their owner when called upon to perform agricultural or other compulsory labour in the realm of the dead.

Features

- Authentic ancient Egyptian funerary ushabti figure

- Traditional mummiform body with crossed arms

- Blue-green glazed faience construction

- Surviving facial and headdress details

- Elongated wrapped body with projecting feet

- Extensive ancient surface encrustation and mineral deposits

- Strong surviving turquoise coloration beneath darker burial patina

Cultural Significance

Ushabtis were an important part of ancient Egyptian funerary belief and were placed in tombs to act as magical servants for the deceased in the afterlife. Their purpose was closely connected with the Egyptian concept of continued existence beyond death, where the deceased might still be required to perform labor.

During the Late Period, faience ushabtis were produced in large numbers and often finished in blue or green glaze, colors associated with regeneration, fertility, and rebirth. Today, they remain among the most recognizable objects of ancient Egyptian funerary culture and provide direct insight into Egyptian beliefs surrounding death and the afterlife.

Condition

Ancient condition with extensive surface wear, discoloration, encrustation, mineral deposits, and areas of glaze loss consistent with considerable age and burial history. Facial features, crossed arms, and the overall mummiform shape remain clearly recognizable. Please refer closely to the photographs for the complete condition.

Dimensions (Approximate)

Height: 2.75 in

Age (Approximate)

2,000–2,600 years old

Provenance

Ex Secret Eye Gallery, New York City, acquired in the 1980s. Secret Eye Gallery was a New York City antiquities gallery active during the 1970s and 1980s under proprietor Hamdi El-Gabry, dealing in ancient Egyptian, Classical, Near Eastern, and related archaeological material.

Subsequently with Palmyra Heritage Gallery, New York, 2026. Palmyra Heritage Gallery is a New York antiquities dealer specializing in ancient Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Pre-Columbian, Islamic, and related archaeological material.

Learn More

Explore a museum example and the funerary role of the Faience Ushabti at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Browse our Collection of Ancient Egyptian Mummies and Artifacts connected with Egyptian burial and afterlife beliefs.

Description

Historical Context & Origin

Region: Egypt
Material: Blue-green glazed faience
Period: Late Period to Ptolemaic Period, circa 600–30 BCE

Description

This ancient Egyptian faience ushabti figure is modeled in traditional mummiform form, with the body shown tightly wrapped and the arms crossed across the chest. The figure retains a recognizable head and headdress, simplified facial features, and an elongated body terminating in projecting feet.

The surface preserves areas of vivid blue-green faience glaze, now extensively mottled with dark mineral deposits, encrustation, and age-related discoloration. The contrast between the surviving turquoise glaze and darker burial deposits gives the figure a highly archaeological appearance.

Ushabtis were placed in ancient Egyptian tombs to serve the deceased in the afterlife. They were intended to answer on behalf of their owner when called upon to perform agricultural or other compulsory labour in the realm of the dead.

Features

- Authentic ancient Egyptian funerary ushabti figure

- Traditional mummiform body with crossed arms

- Blue-green glazed faience construction

- Surviving facial and headdress details

- Elongated wrapped body with projecting feet

- Extensive ancient surface encrustation and mineral deposits

- Strong surviving turquoise coloration beneath darker burial patina

Cultural Significance

Ushabtis were an important part of ancient Egyptian funerary belief and were placed in tombs to act as magical servants for the deceased in the afterlife. Their purpose was closely connected with the Egyptian concept of continued existence beyond death, where the deceased might still be required to perform labor.

During the Late Period, faience ushabtis were produced in large numbers and often finished in blue or green glaze, colors associated with regeneration, fertility, and rebirth. Today, they remain among the most recognizable objects of ancient Egyptian funerary culture and provide direct insight into Egyptian beliefs surrounding death and the afterlife.

Condition

Ancient condition with extensive surface wear, discoloration, encrustation, mineral deposits, and areas of glaze loss consistent with considerable age and burial history. Facial features, crossed arms, and the overall mummiform shape remain clearly recognizable. Please refer closely to the photographs for the complete condition.

Dimensions (Approximate)

Height: 2.75 in

Age (Approximate)

2,000–2,600 years old

Provenance

Ex Secret Eye Gallery, New York City, acquired in the 1980s. Secret Eye Gallery was a New York City antiquities gallery active during the 1970s and 1980s under proprietor Hamdi El-Gabry, dealing in ancient Egyptian, Classical, Near Eastern, and related archaeological material.

Subsequently with Palmyra Heritage Gallery, New York, 2026. Palmyra Heritage Gallery is a New York antiquities dealer specializing in ancient Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Pre-Columbian, Islamic, and related archaeological material.

Learn More

Explore a museum example and the funerary role of the Faience Ushabti at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Browse our Collection of Ancient Egyptian Mummies and Artifacts connected with Egyptian burial and afterlife beliefs.

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