Ancient Egyptian Faience Ushabti | Turquoise Blue Glaze | Circa 700–300 BCE
Description
More
Less
Historical Context & Origin
Region: Egypt
Material: Faience with turquoise-blue glaze and mineral deposits
Period: Late Dynastic to Ptolemaic Period, circa 700–300 BCE
Description
An authentic Egyptian ushabti figure crafted in blue-green faience, still showing traces of its original glossy glaze and earthen burial deposits. The piece depicts a traditional mummiform servant figure with arms folded across the chest, evoking the image of Osiris, god of the afterlife. Despite surface loss and encrustation from centuries of interment, the faience retains its remarkable hue and ancient character—an evocative relic of Egyptian funerary devotion.
Features
- Hand-molded faience construction with turquoise and green glaze remnants
- Classic mummiform posture symbolizing service to the gods
- Distinct mineral accretions verifying ancient burial and authenticit
Cultural Significance
Ushabtis (or shabtis) were funerary figures intended to serve their owners in the afterlife, answering divine calls to labor on their behalf. Crafted from faience—a quartz-based material symbolizing light and regeneration—these figures embodied the Egyptian belief in eternal life and spiritual rebirth. Their turquoise hue evoked the color of the Nile and the life-giving power of the sun.
Condition
Well-preserved with typical wear, glaze loss, and earthen mineralization consistent with age and burial context.
Dimensions (Approximate)
Height: 5 in
Width: 1.75 in
Depth: 1 in
Age (Approximate)
2,300–2,700 years old
Learn More
Learn about the development of ushabti figures through Chronological Overview of Ushabtis
View a faience ushabti in The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Browse related works in our collection Ancient Egyptian Mummies & Artifacts Collection
Description
Historical Context & Origin
Region: Egypt
Material: Faience with turquoise-blue glaze and mineral deposits
Period: Late Dynastic to Ptolemaic Period, circa 700–300 BCE
Description
An authentic Egyptian ushabti figure crafted in blue-green faience, still showing traces of its original glossy glaze and earthen burial deposits. The piece depicts a traditional mummiform servant figure with arms folded across the chest, evoking the image of Osiris, god of the afterlife. Despite surface loss and encrustation from centuries of interment, the faience retains its remarkable hue and ancient character—an evocative relic of Egyptian funerary devotion.
Features
- Hand-molded faience construction with turquoise and green glaze remnants
- Classic mummiform posture symbolizing service to the gods
- Distinct mineral accretions verifying ancient burial and authenticit
Cultural Significance
Ushabtis (or shabtis) were funerary figures intended to serve their owners in the afterlife, answering divine calls to labor on their behalf. Crafted from faience—a quartz-based material symbolizing light and regeneration—these figures embodied the Egyptian belief in eternal life and spiritual rebirth. Their turquoise hue evoked the color of the Nile and the life-giving power of the sun.
Condition
Well-preserved with typical wear, glaze loss, and earthen mineralization consistent with age and burial context.
Dimensions (Approximate)
Height: 5 in
Width: 1.75 in
Depth: 1 in
Age (Approximate)
2,300–2,700 years old
Learn More
Learn about the development of ushabti figures through Chronological Overview of Ushabtis
View a faience ushabti in The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Browse related works in our collection Ancient Egyptian Mummies & Artifacts Collection
You May Also Like
