This ushabti figure is carved in the likeness of Osiris, who served the role of gatekeeper for the afterlife in Ancient Egyptian religion. Pieces such as this were mass-produced during the New Kingdom period in order to serve as servants for the deceased once they reached the afterlife. Ushabti were typically inscribed with spells or passages from the Book of the Dead to give them the power to aid the spirits of the deceased. Oftentimes, these figures were placed in tombs surrounding a sarcophagus so they could accompany the dead's journey from the realm of the living. Because they were mass-produced during the New Kingdom, they are some of the most common pieces of Ancient Egyptian heritage in museums across the world.
This particular piece is peculiar because of the low-quality nature of its construction and for its lack of any defining features. The figure displays a prominent crack along its sides, indicating damage was once done to it at some point in the past. Combined with the common nature of these figurines, it is possible that this piece is a forgery. This piece was originally obtained by Mr. Robert Bragg during his service with the United States armed forces in Italy and North African during the Second World War. It is possible that this was a novelty piece created for the tourism market during the early 1900s, as the production of such pieces was common during this time.
