An Egyptian bright blue glazed composition shabti. 26th Dynasty, circa 664-595 B.C.

The mummiform figure carrying a single hoe with suspended seed bag, with six horizontal bands of hieroglyphs finely inscribed in black for 'Padimayhes', 3¼in (8.2cm), mounted. Sold for £1,200

Literature: Most of the shabtis of Padimayhes are in the Museo Egizio, Turin but there are also five in Geneva: J-L Chappaz, Les figurines funéraires égyptiennes du Musée d'Art et d'Histoire, (Geneva 1984), nos. 117-121)

It seems that shabtis with a single tool are unique to a group of Theban high officials of the 26th Dynasty who were buried in the cemetery of Asasif on the Theban West bank, cf Glenn Janes, Shabtis: a private view, (Paris 2002), p.155, notes 3-5.

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Bonhams. Antiquities. New Bond Street, 15 Oct 2008. www.bonhams.com