LOT 0411

Egyptian Green Glazed Faience Ushabti of Karomama Meritmut

THIRD INTERMEDIATE PERIOD, 22ND DYNASTY, CIRCA 900 B.C.

4 1/4 - 2 3/8 in. (167 grams total, 10.9-13.7 cm).

Characteristic mummiform figure for the Divine Adoratrice Karomama Meritmut G, wearing a bag-like khat headcloth fronted by a uraeus, and a trailing flap at the back, with opposed hands each holding a hoe; faint traces of an inscription on the lower front are illegible; and another small blue-olive-green mummiform shabti of late New Kingdom date wearing a lappet wig with opposed (not crossed) hands holding agricultural implements, details in black; a partially preserved column of hieroglyphic text on the lower body, reading: 'The Osiris, Wenis...'; on a wooden display stand. [2, No Reserve]

The smaller one acquired Caledonian Market, 16th March 1962 for 5 shillings.
From the private collection of Peter Clayton, FCILIP, Dip, Arch, FSA, FRNS, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, UK; formed since the late 1950s.

Accompanied by an old handwritten information card by Peter Clayton, collection no.94.

Cf. Moje, J., ‘A New Ushebti of the Divine Adoratrice Karomama Meritmut G, Identified in the Musée de la Princerie in Verdun (Département Meuse/France)', Journal of Egyptian Archaeology, p. 256, fig. 1, for an almost identical ushabti of Karomama.

The tomb of Karomama Meritmut G was discovered in the 19th century within the mortuary temple complex of Ramesses II, known as the Ramesseum, at Thebes. She was buried with kilted overseer ushabtis and mummiform worker figurines such as this one. Although its inscription is illegible, other preserved examples (such as British Museum EA74324) suggest it almost certainly read: 'The Osiris, the Divine Adoratrice of Amun, Karomama, beloved of Mut'.