Bronze Shabti of General Wendjebauendjed

Culture: Egyptian

Period: 3rd Intermediate Period, 21st dynasty, 1070-945 B.C.

Material: Bronze

Dimensions: 7.6 cm high

Price: Sold

Ref: 1394

Provenance: From a Swiss private collection, acquired in Tours prior to 1975. With an old casket for the shabti from the mid-20th century. Last in a French auction house.

Condition: Intact

Description: Rare bronze shabti of general Wendjebauendjed. The figure in mummified form with a tripartite wig and crossed arms in front of the chest. In the front a vertical hieroglyphic inscription indicating Wendjebauendjed as the owner. The general was a high-ranking dignitary under pharaoh Psusennes I. He was granted the honour to be buried in the royal tomb complex of the ruler. Under Psusennes the production of bronze shabtis was revived, the first time since the period the Ramesides. The tomb of Psusennes I in Tanis was excavated in 1946 by Pierre Montet (1885-1966). He found approximately 20 shabtis for Wendjebauendjed, but some were already on the art market at that time. Today around 40 are known to be in private and public collections. See for reference for example the shabti with Christie’s New York on 8 June 2007, lot 20. Also see: Catalogue d‘exposition, “Tanis, l’or des pharaons”, Paris, 1987, p. 132-133. Mounted.