Faience Ushabti of the Priest Pa-en-imen

Culture: Egyptian

Period: Late Period, 30th Dynasty, 380-343 B.C.

Material: Faience

Dimensions: 9.6 cm high

Price: Reserviert

Ref: 1565

Provenance: From the collection of the French Egyptologist Jean Yoyotte (1927-2009) and his wife Michèle Yoyotte, known as “Poupouti” (1924-2023), acquired between 1956 and 1975.

Condition: Intact

Description: Interesting faience ushabti of the priest Pa-en-imen, who served in Mendes, the ancient Egyptian city of Djedet. This important city in the Nile Delta briefly functioned as the capital of the Kingdom during the 29th Dynasty. The two-column vertical inscription indicates that Pa-en-imen held a high rank: “The Osiris, the one who separates the two gods, the priest of Hathor, the priest of Isis, who dwells in Mendes, Pa-en-imen.” The phrase “the one who separates the two gods” refers to the dispute between Horus and Seth and served as a priestly title in Mendes. The name Pa-en-imen itself means “He who belongs to Amun” and is attested several times. The ushabti is in the classic mummiform shape with a tripartite wig that leaves the ears exposed. The face shows pronounced features, and a divine beard hangs from the chin. The figure has its arms crossed over the chest and holds a hoe and a hand plough. A small seed bag hangs behind the left shoulder. The back pillar is plain. For comparisons with the ushabtis of Pa-en-imen, see: Jacques F. Aubert and Liliane Aubert, „Statuettes Égyptiennes, Chaouabtis, Ouchebtis”, Paris, 1974, p. 263. Mounted on a base.