Shabti

A shabti wearing a short sleeved tunic, and a long projecting triangular apron that reaches down to the ankles – the dress of daily life. The tunic is painted yellow, and has sleeves that end above the elbows. Details of pleating is shown in the modelling above the elbows, and at the sides of the front of the apron where a central vertical panel is left without pleats. The head of the shabti wears a bipartite or duplex wig that is painted bluish–black. Curls are faintly defined in the modelling. The arms are modelled, and crossed right over left above the waist. The right hand is painted red, and holds a rather poorly defined djed pillar. The left hand holds what appears to be a rather indistinctly modelled tyet amulet that is also painted red. The face of the shabti is painted red, upon which eyes with brows are added in black and white. Cosmetic lines extend around the sides of the face. The central vertical column on the front of the apron would originally have been inscribed. Unfortunately only a faint trace of the inscription remains, so the name of the owner is not known. Transliteration and translation of the inscription: ... -xr- ..., "… –kher– …". Purchased at Stevens, London, lot 322 19 August 1930 "Four Ushabti pottery figures, part of a coffin, lamp and head". CONDITION NOTE 1998: Pitted, surface dirt, some loss of pigment.