Ushabti for Neferibresaneith

about 570–526 B.C.

Medium

Green faience

Dimensions

18.2 × 5.3 cm

Status

In Museum Collection

Collect24 Art ID

C24-245624

This ushabti (funerary figurine) takes the form of a shrouded mummiform figure standing on a rectangular base. He wears a tripartite, lappet wig and has a plaited false beard on his fleshy chin. The figure is supported by a rectangular back pillar. In his crossed arms, he holds a hoe and a pick, with a seed bag held by a cord slung over his left shoulder. These agricultural implements reference the ushabti’s function: to perform labor (particularly of an agricultural nature) on behalf of the deceased in the afterlife. The hieroglyphic inscription incised on the ushabti’s lower body in nine horizontal lines further elucidates his role. It is Spell 6 of the Egyptian Book of the Dead, which, when spoken aloud, will animate the ushabti in the next world: > Recitation: the illuminated one, Osiris, Neferibresaneith, whom > Shepenbastet, true of voice, bore, says: "O these ushabtis! If Osiris > Neferibresaneith, whom Shepenbastet, justified, bore, is selected to > do any work which is done there in the realm of god - for impediments > have been placed there - as a man with regard to his duty, 'Look at > me!' you will say. You will be selected at every time to do work > there in the r…