13 of 208 lots
13
An Egyptian Faience Ushabti for Horiraa Height 7 inches (17.8 cm).
Estimate: $20,000-$30,000
Sold
$19,000
Live Auction
Antiquities and Ancient Art: A Study
Size
Height 7 inches (17.8 cm).
Description
An Egyptian Faience Ushabti for Horiraa
Late Period, 26th Dynasty, 664-525 B.C.
Height 7 inches (17.8 cm).
Property from the Collection of Dr. Hernan D. Ruf, Pompano Beach, Florida
Condition
Intact as preserved. Inspected under UV light and 10x loupe; nothing was revealed. Overall surface wear with one section of the hieroglyphic inscription nearly lost. Elements of the face and other portion of inscription are well preserved. Minuscule hole to the proper right hand; very small chip to the nose, other scattered and small chips. Minor surface staining, particularly to the top of the head and back of the ushabti near base. Overall in fine, stable condition. Affixed to a modern wooden base. Height with base 7 3/4 inches.
Provenance

Provenance: 
Deaccessioned from the Egyptian Museum of Berlin, Germany [by repute].
Ilse Scwaiger Collection (1905-2005), Berlin, Germany, prior to 1940.
Lempertz, Brussels, Tribal Arts, 30 March 2006, Lot 2.
Private Collection (U.H.), Germany.

Published: 
J.F. Aubert, Statuettes égyptiennes, Paris, 1974, p. 220 
G. Janes, Shabtis: A Private View, Paris, 2002, pp. 193-194.

Note:
This ushabti was made for Overseer of the Antechamber, Horiraa. An important court official during the 26th Dynasty, Reign of Pharaoh Necho II, he was tutor to the pharaoh's successor Psamtik II. Also referred to as Neferibrenefer (Psamtik II is beautiful), his intact tomb was discovered in 1830 just south of the Step Pyramid at Saqqara. The tomb contained hundreds of ushabtis which have been characterized by their grey-green color and fine modelling. Although many of these ushabtis can be found in major American and European Museums today, few are as fine as the one seen here.