Egyptian Wooden Polychrome Ushabti of a Chantress of Amun

New Kingdom, 19th Dynasty, ca. 1292–1189 BCE
Egypt

A finely carved wooden ushabti of mummiform type, depicted with arms folded across the chest and wearing a tripartite wig rendered in black pigment. The face is sensitively modeled with large almond-shaped eyes and a subtle smile, retaining attractive traces of original polychromy including red-brown flesh tones, black hair, and a yellow ground.

A vertical column of hieroglyphs runs down the front, preserving portions of the traditional funerary formula beginning with ḥtp dỉ nsw (“an offering which the king gives”), followed by references to Osiris and identifying the owner as a chantress of Amun, a title associated with elite temple women of Thebes. Traces of the personal name remain, likely ending in “…er-ir,” though partially worn.
The reverse is plain with visible carving marks, and the surface overall shows expected wear, areas of encrustation, and pigment loss consistent with age. Notably, the figure survives at a larger-than-average size for wooden ushabtis, enhancing its display presence.

Height: 7 in. (17.8 cm)

Condition: Surface wear, pigment loss, and encrustation consistent with age; stable overall.

Provenance: Ex J. Wayne Collection, Nevada; Ex Private California collection, acquired by family descent.