LONDON.- Apollo Art Auctions will offer a rare and exquisitely crafted Egyptian faience shabti of Psamtik, God's Father, born to Seba-rekhyet, in their upcoming auction on January 26th. This vibrant blue figurine, dating back to the 26th Dynasty (ca. 570-526 BC), is expected to fetch between £12,000 and £20,000.

Shabtis were small figurines placed in tombs to serve the deceased in the afterlife. This particular shabti depicts Psamtik standing on a trapezoidal base, equipped with the tools of the afterlife: a pick, hoe, and seed-sack. The figure is adorned with a striated tripartite wig and a beard with a curled tip, and features nine lines of inscription.

"This is a truly remarkable piece," says Gabriele Luksyte. "The bright blue glaze is exceptional for this period, and the craftsmanship is of the highest quality."

The shabti comes with a custom-made stand and is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity. It has been reviewed by Simone Musso, consultant curator for Egyptian antiquities at the Stibbert Museum, Florence, Italy, and member of the Nuri Archaeological Expedition, and has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database.

This significant offering provides a unique opportunity for collectors to acquire a piece of ancient Egyptian history and experience the artistry of this remarkable civilization.