Egyptian Blue Faience Ushabti

Restrung using polychrome mummy beads of annular and tubular types. 26.7 grams, 74 cm long



Acquired before 1979. From the private collection of Mr F. A., South Kensington, London, UK; thence by descent 2014.

For thousands of years, artisans in Egypt created vibrant ceramics to echo the beauty of rare jewels. These ornaments were created with almost every material, colour and texture imaginable and they come from across Egypt and beyond: vibrant blue lapis lazuli from Afghanistan, glossy black obsidian from the territory in modern Turkey, and aqua-green turquoise from the Sinai. They were worn in life and, after death, they served as precious ornamentation for mummies.

With repousse striations to the wing case, details of the feathers to the wings; pierced for attachment to mummy wrappings; mounted in a glass-fronted case. 4.09 grams, 18.2 cm wide total (504 grams including case)

Fine condition. Rare.

From a German gallery in the 1970s. From an important European collection. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.12125-211120.

The body with rounded shoulders, convex outer face and pointed base, everted rim; accompanied by a custom-made display base. 34.2 grams, 48 mm high (48.9 grams, 55 mm including stand)



Acquired in Europe before 1994. European collection.