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Sixteen middle fragments of faience ushabtis; inscribed from Book of the Dead; [(part of group of 47+ ushabtis of Psamtik, son of Ikhetpure, born of Iset, Type III 2d, including 25-2-236, 25-2-249, and others [including 25-2-16, 25-2-18, 25-2-73, 25-2-237, 25-2-239, 25-2-248, 25-2-250, 25-2-251, 25-2-253, 25-2-309, 25-2-310; also part of this group 25-2-238, 25-2-240]); molded in half-mold (mold i: retouched, similar to mold ii except curves of legs better shown, cord in right hand going over left shoulder well-drawn, bag on back is small pouch, base usually clearly defined, 38+ specimens; mold ii: similar to mold i, except smaller and slightly more clumsy figures, 9+ specimens), very soft-baked soft white paste, core usually greyish (sometimes pink or mauve tinge), glaze originally bright blue (two qualities of glaze: A: faded to greenish cream, and leaving inscription clearly visible, 17+ specimens; B: heavier than quality A, blue better preserved, fills inscription, making it almost illegible), face broad and heavy, lappet at back, bag and pilaster, and inscription incised with sharp tool; inscription well-cut with hieroglyphs mostly well-formed (probably all written by same hand), inscribed with sixth chapter of Book of the Dead [GLYPHS], text variations rare (and only trivial); all (except one intact ushabti and one mended ushabti) badly broken]; [one fragment from 25-2-237 identified as intrusive to this group: middle fragment of tall ushabti, molded, fairly hard-baked light colored paste, core greenish-grey and orange-yellow at periphery, glaze now pale blue and greenish, incised text, sixth chapter from Book of the Dead [GLYPHS], name clearly different, starts with [GLYPH]].
Illustration: No

Details

ID
HUMFA_25-2-237
Alternate IDs
25-2-237; HUMFA_25-2-237
Department
Harvard University-Boston Museum of Fine Arts Expedition
Classification
Tomb equipment-Ushabtis and ushabti boxes
Entry Date
02/06/1925
Title
Fragments of faience ushabtis
Medium
Faience
Dimensions
Height: 3.3 - 5.4 cm; [mold i: 11.8 cm; mold ii: 10.5 cm]
Credit Line
Harvard University–Boston Museum of Fine Arts Expedition
Provenance
Pit G 7631 A
Bibliography
Zivie-Coche, Christiane M. Giza Au Premier Millenaire: Autour du temple d'Isis dame des pyramides. Boston: Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, 1991, p. 277.
Remarks
MFA 25.3338 (= one fragment originally registered 25-2-237 intrusive to this group; mislabeled with sequence number 54 by mistake, see OR page 579, correct sequence number 54 is fragment from 25-2-236). Ushabtis of Psamtik (concordance 25-2-236): MFA 25.3253 (= 25-2-237 + 25-2-236 = 236.7), MFA 25.3255 (= 25-2-237 = 236.9), MFA 25.3259 (= 25-2-327 torso + 25-2-310 base = 236.13), MFA 25.3304 (= 25-2-237 = 236.58), MFA 25.3307 (= 25-2-237 = 236.60.2; there are two objects labeled .60), MFA 25.3308–25.3311 (= 25-2-237 = 236.61–236.64), MFA 25.3313–25.3318 (= 25-2-237 = 236.66–236.71); sequence numbers higher than .69 not actually written on objects; see OR page 579 for minor variations in text; see OR page 578 for ushabti concordance sequence numbers for specimens of mold ii and glaze quality A (concordance numerical sequence 1 through 71). Two sets of inscribed ushabtis of Psamtik, son of Ikhetpure, born of Iset, have been attributed to two different “original” loci (based on provenances for the scattered ushabtis); however, both sets are identical (style and inscription); see ushabti concordance 25-2-236 (attributed to G 7631 A) and ushabti concordance 29-11-274 (attributed to G 7757 A).
Problems/Questions
MFA accession numbers verified

Tombs and Monuments 1

Photos 5

Ancient People 3

Unpublished Documents 1