GROUP OF FIVE EGYPTIAN FAIENCE SHABTIS

Ca. 21st - 30th dynasties, ca. 1069 - 343 BC. Five shabtis form this mixed group of mummiform funerary figures in pale blue, cream and green faience or glazed composition, each wearing a wig and holding the arms across the torso, with agricultural implements rendered in relief on several examples. The first, second, fourth and fifth figures carry vertical or horizontal bands of hieroglyphic text, whereas the third is substantially abraded and no inscription can be read from the photograph. Variations in wig type, facial modelling, glaze colour, proportions and the arrangement of the texts indicate that the figures do not belong to a uniform funerary set. The fourth shabti is distinguished by a broad tripartite wig, modelled face and several registers of inscription, while the fifth has a narrower body covered by densely arranged text. Glaze loss, chips, firing flaws and burial accretions affect the group, although blue-green colour survives in protected areas. For similar see: The British Museum, Museum number EA34178. Size: 100-130mm x 30-40mm; Weight: 370g Provenance: Private UK collection; London art market acquisition, 1980s.