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Datec. 945-715 B.C.E.
MediumFaience with pigment
DimensionsOverall: 4 × 1 3/4 in. (10.2 × 4.4 cm)
Credit LineGift of William C. Winslow, Class of 1862
Object number1943.37
Not 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 22nd Dynasty shabti (ca. 945 – 715 B.C.E) was excavated from Tomb 14E of Cemetery D in Abydos sometime between 1899 – 1902, and donated to the College by William C. Winslow in 1902. It has been attributed to Mery-Amun, but unfortunately, little is known about Mery-Amun.
Catalogue card from 1960s: "Ushabti - Faience. Egyptian, XXI-XXVth Dyns. Gift of: W.C. Winslow '62. Prov.: ?Egypt. Worn. Turquoise glaze; purplish-black paint. Painted fillet on wig; eyes and eyebrows painted; barred satchel on back; hands crossed, holding moulded hoes; painted columnar inscription. Short, stocky build."
Additional Details
Provenance
March 1902: Hamilton College, by gift of William C. Winslow, on behalf of the Egypt Exploration Fund;
1899 - 1901: excavated from Tomb 14E in Cemetery D at Abydos for the Egypt Exploration Fund.
1899 - 1901: excavated from Tomb 14E in Cemetery D at Abydos for the Egypt Exploration Fund.
Markings
None noted.
Signature
Not signed.
Inscribed
Columnar inscription in black pigment: "The Osiris, Mery-Amun."
Date: c. 1070-656 B.C.E.
Medium: Red clay with black pigment
Object number: 1943.104a
Date: c. 1070-656 B.C.E.
Medium: Red clay with black pigment
Object number: 1943.107d
Date: c. 1070-656 B.C.E.
Medium: Red clay with black pigment
Object number: 1943.107c
Date: c. 1070-656 B.C.E.
Medium: Red clay with black pigment
Object number: 1943.107b
Date: c. 1070-656 B.C.E.
Medium: Red clay with black pigment
Object number: 1943.107e
Date: c. 1070-656 B.C.E.
Medium: Red clay with black pigment
Object number: 1943.107a
Unknown artist
Date: c. 1070-656 BCE
Medium: Red clay with black pigment
Object number: INV.726
Unknown artist
Date: c. 1070-656 BCE
Medium: Red clay with black pigment
Object number: INV.727
Unknown artist
Date: c. 1070-656 B.C.E.
Medium: Red clay with black pigment
Object number: INV.728
Unknown artist
Date: c. 1070-656 B.C.E.
Medium: Red clay with black pigment
Object number: INV.729
Unknown artist
Date: c. 1070-656 B.C.E.
Medium: Red clay with black pigment
Object number: INV.730
Unknown artist
Date: c. 1070-656 B.C.E.
Medium: Red clay with black pigment
Object number: INV.731