Ancient Egypt, New Kingdom Faience Shabti for Huy With Spanish Export License

In ancient Egyptian culture, shabtis (also called ushabtis) were funerary figurines intended to serve as servants for the deceased in the afterlife. These small figures were commonly made from faience, a glazed ceramic material prized for its bright, lustrous colors, especially blues and greens symbolizing rebirth and regeneration. The New Kingdom period (circa 1550–1070 BC) was a flourishing era for such artifacts, reflecting the Egyptians' complex beliefs about death and resurrection. A faience shabti associated with the name "Huy" would likely have been custom-made or inscribed to serve this individual, embodying the hope that it would work in the fields of the afterlife on the owner's behalf. Collectors and scholars highly value these pieces for their craftsmanship, symbolic importance, and insights into ancient Egyptian funerary practices. Given the delicate material and historical significance, these artifacts require careful preservation and are often subject to export licenses when traded internationally.