A group of rare clay ushebtis etc. (5)

A Group of Rare Clay Ushebtis etc. Three very rare hand modeled mummiform ushebtis in fired Nile silt fabric with simple pinched faces and feet. The two smaller examples show traces of blue paint over gesso in simulation of faience and the larger example shows traces of a slip. This type was rarely collected by early archaeologists who saw them with disdain, and especially the large example is one that might easily have been passed by or misunderstood as something completely different. Excellent examples of the lowest ancient budget variety or do-it-yourself funerary equipment. All three are intact. Ugly, but rare. Third Intermediate Period: 1. Large example: Abydos. H: 8 cm. Gift from Prof. R. Holthoer 1996. (M627) 2. Two smaller examples: H: 39 & 43 mm. Astarte Gallery, London 1990. (M35ab) 3. Two small fragmentary mummiform ushebtis in faience, both with molded details and broken away from legs down. Late Period. This lot is part of a large private collection of Egyptian antiquities