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Artist/Maker
Unknown artist
Datec. 945-715 B.C.E.
MediumFaience with pigment
DimensionsOverall: 3 × 1 1/16 × 11/16 in. (7.7 × 2.7 × 1.8 cm)
Credit LineGift of William C. Winslow, Class of 1862
Object number1943.97a
On view
DescriptionIn the Egyptian afterlife, everyone was expected to work in the Field of Reeds (or A’aru) for Osiris, the god of death. Shabtis first began appearing in tombs of the Middle Kingdom (ca. 2040 – 1782 B.C.E.), likely evolving from the wooden models of servants and workers that were included in Old and Middle Kingdom burials. At first, they were only mummiform and most were placed in their own coffins. Most remained uninscribed, but some included the name of their owners or fractions of the shabti spell from Chapter 6 of the Book of the Dead. By the New Kingdom, shabtis had come to personify the deceased and perform labor on their behalf in the A’aru. They were made of predominantly clay and faience, and painted with agricultural implements such as sickles, hoes, baskets, and brick molds for working in the A’aru.
Most tombs contain at least a few shabtis. Over time, it became more common to include 365 worker shabtis (one for each day of the year) and 36 overseers (one for every 10 worker shabtis) in wealthier tombs, totaling 401.
This shabti was likely excavated from Abydos sometime between 1899 – 1902, and donated to the College by William C. Winslow in 1902. It likely dates to the 22nd Dynasty (ca. 945 – 715 B.C.E.). (Written by Kayley Boddy '22)
Catalogue card from 1960s: "5 faience ushabtis. Egyptian, XIX-XXVth Dyns. Gift of: W.C. Winslow '62. Dark turquoise glaze, black paint. Fronts only moulded. Crossed arms holding moulded hoe + mattock. Eyes (except [1943.97a]), fillets, satchel over left shoulder, tools, columnar inscriptions painted."
Additional Details
Alternate Titles
Ushabti
Provenance
March 1902: Hamilton College, by gift of William C. Winslow, on behalf of the Egypt Exploration Fund;
1899 - 1901: excavated from Abydos for the Egypt Exploration Fund.
1899 - 1901: excavated from Abydos for the Egypt Exploration Fund.
Markings
None noted.
Signature
Not signed.
Inscribed
Columnar inscription on front in black pigment.
Unknown artist
Date: c. 1186-1070 B.C.E.
Medium: Stone with wash
Object number: 1943.59
Unknown artist
Date: c. 945-715 B.C.E.
Medium: Faience with pigment
Object number: 1943.37
Unknown artist
Date: c. 1070-656 B.C.E.
Medium: Clay with pigment
Object number: 1943.49
Unknown artist
Date: c. 945-656 B.C.E.
Medium: Clay with wash
Object number: 1943.60
Unknown artist
Date: c. 1070-656 B.C.E.
Medium: Red clay with blue wash and black pigment
Object number: 1943.77