Shabti

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Photograph by John Bentham
Shabti
Photograph by John Bentham
Artist/Maker
DateLate 19th - early 20th century
MediumDark brown glazed terracotta
DimensionsOverall: 16.5 x 5.1 cm (6 1/2 x 2 in.)
Credit LineGift of William C. Winslow, Class of 1862
Object numberINV.701
On view
DescriptionMany nineteenth century tourists, including Winslow and Burgess, accidentally and purposefully collected reproductions of antiquities. Dealers in antiquities often produced shabtis, amulets, and jewelry with iconographic features not found on their ancient counterparts to entice collectors with objects that appeared unique, attractive, and “authentic.” This shabti was made in Egypt during the late nineteenth century. Its inscription is nonsensical, and neither the cartouche of Thutmose III on its chest nor the royal flails in its hands were ever crafted on ancient shabtis. Shabtis of this kind were produced on the Theban West Bank, made from mud blackened over fire, and sold to tourists from the late nineteenth to the early twentieth centuries. (Written by Kayley Boddy '22)
Collections

Additional Details

Exhibition History 2012
Clinton, NY. Ruth and Elmer Wellin Museum of Art, Hamilton College. "Case Histories: The Hidden Meaning of Objects," October 6, 2012 - Present (no cat.).

2011
Clinton, NY. Fred L. Emerson Gallery, Hamilton College. "Learning to Look: Hamilton's Cabinets, Galleries and Museums Past, Present and Future," September 15 - December 16, 2011 (no cat.).
Provenance March 1902: Hamilton College, by gift of William C. Winslow, on behalf of the Egypt Exploration Fund;
date unknown: William C. Winslow, presumably by subscription to the Egypt Exploration Fund.
Markings Sticker on back
Signature Not signed
Inscribed Nonsensical inscription around body
String of beads with cat amulets
String of beads with cat amulets
Date: date unknown
Medium: Faience
Object number: INV.606
String of beads with cat amulets
String of beads with cat amulets
Date: date unknown
Medium: Faience
Object number: INV.607
String of beads with cat amulets
String of beads with cat amulets
Date: date unknown
Medium: Faience
Object number: INV.608
Scarab
Scarab
Date: c. 600-570 BCE
Medium: Probably steatite, gold
Object number: 1943.29
Tubular Bead Necklace
Tubular Bead Necklace
Date: date unknown
Medium: Faience and lapis lazuli
Object number: INV.609
Tubular and Disk Bead Necklace
Tubular and Disk Bead Necklace
Date: date unknown
Medium: Faience, lapis lazuli
Object number: INV.610
Photograph by John Bentham.
Coffin medallion with head of Medusa
Unknown artist, Greek (Ancient)
Date: c. 332-250 BCE
Medium: Terracotta with remnants of pigment
Object number: 1943.20
Photograph by John Bentham.
Oil lamp with raised geometric pattern
Date: 6th-8th century
Medium: Terracotta
Object number: 2015.6.49
Photograph by John Bentham.
Stirrup jar
Unknown artist, Greek (Ancient)
Date: c. 1300-1100 BCE
Medium: Terracotta with slip
Object number: 2015.6.6
Photograph by John Bentham.
Veduta dell' Anfiteatro Flavio detto Il Colosseo (View of Flavian Amphitheater, called the Colosseum), from the series "Vedute di Roma (Views of Rome)"
Giovanni Battista Piranesi
Date: 1776
Medium: Etching
Object number: 1987.14
Photo by John Bentham.
Bust of Gaius
Pietro Bazzanti
Date: before 1881
Medium: Marble
Object number: 2023.10.83
Photograph by John Bentham.
Black-on-red ware amphora (storage jar)
Unknown artist, Greek (Ancient)
Date: c. 750-600 BCE
Medium: Terracotta with slip
Object number: 2015.6.2