Ushabtis (or Shabtis) are funerary figurines used in ancient Egyptian funerary practices. They were placed in tombs among the grave goods and were intended to act as servants or minions for the deceased, should they be called upon to do manual labor in the afterlife.
This Ushabti is depicted mummiform, with a false beard and seen grasping hoes, with left hand grasping rope from seedsack over his left shoulder. Traces of the original blue faience coating can also be seen around the figure.
Provenance
Ex. private collection, Cotswald, UK. Acquired from Silbury Coins.