Egyptian Ushabti (Shabti) Figurine - Late Period (c. 664–332 BC)
Estimated value
$150 - $650Rarity
Average(4/10)Category
Historical RelicsEra
Late Period (664–332 BC)Origin
🇪🇬 EgyptAuthenticity
EGYPTIAN USHABTI (SHABTI) FIGURINE - LATE PERIOD (C. 664–332 BC): IDENTIFICATION
Faience ushabti funerary figurine displaying a pale blue-gray glaze characteristic of the Late Period. The object features a vertical column of incised hieroglyphic text along the frontal plane, with a dorsal pillar visible at the rear. The hands are crossed over the chest, likely holding an agricultural implement such as a hoe or pick, though surface wear has softened the relief details. The base terminates in a standard plinth, and the anatomical modeling remains simplified, typical of mass-produced funerary offerings from the 26th through 30th Dynasties.
Compare with other relics in the archive: Boy Scouts of America Fleur-de-lis Whistle, Catholic Donor Recognition Broadside - Early 20th Century Lithograph, Mid-19th Century Plantation Slave Ledger Page.
SCARCITY
Typical antique shop fare. Requires some searching but regularly available. This is where most genuine antiques fall.
Rarity 4/10. Curiosa currently catalogues 5 relics items at rarity 4 or higher.
Typical Characteristics
- Standard antique shop items
- Regularly available
- Moderate collector interest
Confidence Factors
- High prevalence of professionally aged cast reproductions in the Egyptian souvenir market
- Hieroglyphs appear somewhat crudely incised compared to known 26th Dynasty workshop standards
- The lack of provenance documentation increases the risk of modern manufacture
Expert review recommended. Consider consulting a specialist before making purchasing decisions.
HISTORIAN'S ASSESSMENT
Archaeological Antiquities Specialist
The object displays the correct morphological traits for a Late Period ushabti, but the high volume of forgeries in this category requires visual inspection of manufacturing seams and better textual clarity to exceed a 0.72 confidence level.
KEY EVIDENCE
- 1Presence of a dorsal pillar, a characteristic diagnostic feature of Late Period ushabtis.
- 2Glaze color and composition consistent with 1st millennium BC Egyptian faience.
- 3Hieroglyphic layout follows the standard Late Period T-shaped or column configuration.
- 4Visible calcification on the surface suggests genuine burial patina.
UNCERTAINTIES
- •The clarity of the hieroglyphs is unusually poor, potentially indicating a mold-cast imitation rather than hand-carved script.
- •Uniformity of the surface wear may suggest chemical aging.
WHAT WOULD IMPROVE CERTAINTY
- →Obtain a sharp, high-resolution photograph of the hierarchical text for translation and script analysis.
- →Check for a seam line along the sides which would indicate a modern mold cast.
- →Consult local cultural property laws regarding the 1970 UNESCO Convention and 1983 Egyptian Protection Law.
CONDITION & GRADE
Condition
Significant surface abrasions and loss of glaze definition, particularly on the facial features and inscribed text. Visible break or structural weakness along the lower plinth area, common in excavated ceramic antiquities.
Weight & feel
Estimated weight of 45-80 grams based on its approximate 10-12 cm height and dense silicious core.
HISTORICAL ARTIFACT VALUATION
Updated: May 10, 2026
Who buys this
Private collectors of Egyptian antiquities and institutional teaching collections searching for representative Late Period specimens.
What increases value
- •Readable hieroglyphic text referencing the owner's name and title
- •Intact glaze color density
- •Known provenance from a mid-20th century collection (e.g., Sotheby's or Christie's sales post-1970)
What lowers value
- •Lack of legal export permits or known find-spot documentation
- •Modern repairs to the foot or head that are obscured by dirt
What makes top-tier examples
- •Exceptionally crisp carving of the face and hands
- •Royal titles within the hieroglyphs
- •A deep, 'royal blue' cobalt glaze
Grade & condition
Completeness of the figurine, legibility of the Spell 6 text, and vibrancy of the faience glaze.
Rarity & demand
For informational purposes only, not a formal appraisal.
SIMILAR CURIOSITIES
Mid-19th Century Slave Ledger (Register of Negroes)
Mid-19th Century Plantation Slave Ledger Page
16th-17th Century Eastern European War Hammer (Nadziak)
Catholic Donor Recognition Broadside - Early 20th Century Lithograph
Carved Wooden Punch Figure Cigar Store Style Tobacconist Figure
Antique Map of Holland and Utrecht by Willem Janszoon Blaeu, c. 1650-1660
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