Ushabti of Tious
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An ushabti inscribed for Tious, son of Taideret. The mummiform figure stands on a trapezoidal base and holds a pick, hoe, and seed-sack. The ushabti wears a braided beard and smooth tripartite wig falling to the top of the rectangular back pillar. Nine lines of inscription are in sunk relief on the front of the body.
By the 26th Dynasty, ushabtis were mostly made of light green or blue faience. The form of a trapezoidal base and back pillar may have been inspired by elements of statuary from this period. By this date it was standard for tombs to contain 365 ushabtis and 36 overseer figures. This number corresponded to the Egyptian system for measuring the length of the year and hours of the night by observing 36 stars that changed every 10 days (with five additional days). At least two other ushabtis dedicated to Tious, son of Taideret, have been sold at auctions in recent years.
Condition
Generally good and as shown. There are small nicks on the end of the nose and the beard, as well as on the knuckles. There is a small shall chip on the upper outside of the proper right foot; abrasions on the edges of the back pillar and base. Some of the glaze on the back pillar is eroded. The glaze is discoloured or lightly encrusted in areas. The wig is smooth rather than striated.
Archéologie, Arts Asiatiques, Cannes, Thierry de Maigret, Drouot, Paris, 11th December 2015, Lot 4.
Ancient Egyptian Sculpture & Works Of Art, Sotheby’s, 15th December 2016, New York, Lot 56.
Previously with Cleopatra Gallery, 11 Shamplion Street, Cairo, from at least 1965.
Paul Barral, acquired from the above 25th October 1965, accompanied by a copy of the 1965 invoice.
French Private Collection, by descent.
Sold at: Archéologie, Arts Asiatiques, Cannes, Thierry de Maigret, Drouot, Paris,11th December 2015, Lot 4.
Dutch art market, acquired from the above sale.
Private Collection, acquired from the above in 2016.
Sold at: Ancient Egyptian Sculpture & Works Of Art, Sotheby’s, 15th December 2016, New York, Lot 56.
Private Collection, USA, acquired from the above sale.
1965 invoice from Cleopatra Gallery, listing this ushabti as number 1.
ALR: S00229527, with IADAA Certificate, this item has been checked against the Interpol database.
