An Egyptian Brilliant Blue Faience Ushabti of Princess Nesi-Khonsu, Supreme Chief of the Harem of Amun , 21st Dynasty, 1075-944 B.C.

holding hoes and seed-sack over her back, and wearing a striped tripartite wig, the six lines of inscription and other details painted in deep blue.

from Thebes, Deir el-Bahri (Cache I), 1880s
New York private collection, acquired in New York in the 1970s
Antiquarium, Inc., New York

Excellent condition and as shown in catalogue. The ushabti is fastened into the old wood stand and does not come out.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

For a list of other examples see G. Janes, Shabtis, a Private View. Ancient Egyptian funerary Statuettes in European Private Collections, Paris, 2002, no. 53; the author notes that "Nesy-Khonsu was a daughter of Smendes II and also niece of Pinudjem II, both of whom were successive high-priests of Amen at Thebes who ruled that part of Egypt during the 21st Dynasty. Nesy-Khonsu was perhaps a favoured member of the harem of Pinudjem II as she became his first wife." On the discovery of the first Royal Cache at Deir el-Bahri in 1871, including Nesy-Khonsu's ushabtis, and the later appearance on the market of rare and, from the point of view of the history of religions, highly significant inscribed boards from her ushabti box, now in the Louvre and the British Museum, see J.-F. and L. Aubert, Statuettes égyptiennes. Chaouabtis, ouchebtis., Paris, 1974, pp.139f.