Code: 2836
Description: A small Egyptian bright blue faience ushabti, mould-made mummiform figure with tripartite wig, long beard, facial features indicated and with hands crossed on chest holding mattock and hoe. Flat backed with vertical incised inscription shd wsir nfr-rnpt mr(y) [?], reading Illuminating the Osiris[=the deceased] Mr(y) Renpet-nefer (literally '[beloved one of] the good year’). A fracture across the ankles repaired, and a patch of wear on the top of the head, but complete and with superb colour.
Size: 60 mm/2.4 ins. high
Culture: Egyptian
Date: Late Period - Ptolemaic, c. 600-30 B.C.
Provenance: From the collection of Julian Bird (1959-2014) and acquired at a London Antiques Fair in 1984.
Background: Julian Bird was a passionate collector of Egyptian antiquities, who built up a fine and extensive collection from the 1970s onwards. He sourced his items mainly from the UK market, from specialist dealers, fairs, markets and auctioneers. He was a model collector, carefully documenting his collection, and his notes on this particular item will be supplied to the buyer.
