Skip to main content
Datec. 1070-656 B.C.E.
MediumClay
DimensionsOverall: 3 × 1 in. (7.6 × 2.5 cm)
Credit LineGift of William C. Winslow, Class of 1862
Object number1943.124
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 shabti was excavated from Abydos sometime between 1899 – 1902, and donated to the College by William C. Winslow in 1902.
Catalogue card from 1960s: "White-washed clay ushabti-overseer. Egyptian, XXI-XXVth Dyns. Gift of: W.C. Winslow '62. Reddish clay; buff wash. Front moulded; back irregular. Short wig and kilt. Right arm at side; left bent, holding whip. Left foot advanced."
Additional Details
Provenance
March 1902: Hamilton College, by gift of William C. Winslow, on behalf of the Egypt Exploration Fund;
1899 - 1900: excavated from Abydos for the Egypt Exploration Fund.
1899 - 1900: excavated from Abydos for the Egypt Exploration Fund.
Markings
None noted.
Signature
Not signed.
Inscribed
None noted.
Date: c. 1186-1070 B.C.E.
Medium: Limestone with wash
Object number: 1943.59
Unknown artist
Date: c. 1070-945 BCE
Medium: Faience
Object number: INV.699
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