380-343 BCE
Light blue-green faience ushabti of the overseer of the priests of Sekhmet in Mendes and priest of the ram god Banebdjed, Nesbanebdjed. The ushabti wears a braided, curved false beard, identifying him with the god Osiris. His hands are crossed on the front of his chest and the edge of his cloak is visible between them. The presence of the cloak further identifies the figure as mummiform and therefore deceased. The ushabti holds a pick in his left hand; in his right hand he holds a hoe and the cord for a bag of seeds that drapes over his left shoulder. A pillar is present on the back of the statuette. The back-pillar, seed bag over the left shoulder, possession of two different implements in the hands, and “Greek” smile are all stylistic indicators of a Late Period date. Ten lines of text in horizontal registers, consisting of the ushabti spell with the name and titles of Nesbanebdjed, surround the body.
19.7 cm (7 3/4 in.)
[Ralph M. Blanchard Antiquities, Cairo, (by 1905)], sold; to Miss. Richardson, (1905 - ?). [Marjorie Jones, Suffolk Gallery, Camden, Maine], sold; to [Ross Levett Antiques, Thomaston, Maine (by 2011)], sold; to [Ward & Company Works of Art, New York, (2011-2012)], sold; to Eric Kaufman, Weston, CT, (2012-2019), gift; to the Harvard Art Museums.
Terracotta
2nd millennium BCEHurrianLeaded brass
19th-20th centuryItalianMarble
3rd millennium BCECycladicBronze
19th-20th centuryAmericanPlaster, toned, painted and gilt
19th-20th centuryAmericanPlastic, paper wrapper, inscribed in black fiber-tip ink
20th centuryGermanClay, unfired
Central AsianTerracotta
GreekPlaster
19th centuryItalianLeaded bronze
5th-2nd century BCEItalicBronze
10th-8th century BCEIranianWhite-silpped terracotta with traces of paint
5th century BCEGreek