SculptureEgyptian4th century BCE

Ushabti of Nesbanebdjed

380-343 BCE

Description

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.

Classification

Sculpture

Technique

Mold-made

Medium

Faience

Culture

Egyptian

Period

Late Period, Dynasty 30, to Ptolemaic

Century

4th century BCE

Division

Asian and Mediterranean Art

Department

Department of Ancient and Byzantine Art & Numismatics

Dimensions

19.7 cm (7 3/4 in.)

Provenance

[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.