Large Egyptian Hieroglyphic Shabti for Hathor-em-Akhet. 30th Dynasty, 380-343 BC. A substantial pale green glazed composition shabti with tripartite wig and false beard holding agricultural tools, a hoe and a pick, in the crossed hands and a seed-bag behind the left shoulder, inscribed with seven rows of hieroglyphs from Chapter Six (the ‘Shabti Chapter’) of The Book of the Dead on the body, for “The Osiris, Hathor-em-akhet [“Hathor who is in the horizon”, apparently a unique name], born of Sheret”, plain dorsal pillar; mounted on a custom-made stand.Cf. similar examples published in Aubert, J-F. and L., Aubert, Statuettes Égyptiennes, Paris, 1974, pl.64, no.152; pl.65, no.154; James, G., The Amasis Collection, Lymm, Cheshire, 2020, S 9838, p.200; Schneider, H.D., Shabtis, Pt III, Leiden, 1977, no.5.3.1.262, pl.64.375 grams total, 20.5cm including stand (8"). From an old French collection and subsequently with a Hertfordshire gentleman from 1990s.Peter Clayton, FCILIP, Dip, Arch, FSA, FRNS writes: 'The incorporation of the name of the goddess Hathor in the deceased’s name suggests his close affiliation with the goddess, possibly because his mother was one of her priestesses or a devotee. A full set of shabtis, 365, one for each day of the year, was provided to stand in place of the deceased in the next world and carry out any agricultural work or heavy labour such as clearing the canals, all mentioned in the text of Chapter Six. It was normal for shabtis to include the name of the mother, shabtis naming the father of the deceased are exceedingly rare. Shabtis from this dynasty and the reign of Nectanebo II (360-343 BC) are particularly noted for their high quality and fine faces. Nectanebo II was the last native pharaoh of Egypt before the Persian conquest. His fate is unknown, possibly he fled south to the Sudan, his unused sarcophagus, found in Alexandria, is in the British Museum. Medieval legend (the Alexander Romance) recounts that he fled to the Macedonian court (i.e. the anti-Persian faction), was attracted by Olympias, wife of king Philip II, and became the father of Alexander the Great.' A video of this lot is available to view at TimeLine Auctions website.