Details

Object type

shabti

Place Associated

Africa, Egypt, Upper Egypt, Abydos, Tomb D51 (place found)

Date

18th Dynasty, 1550-1295 BC

Materials

limestone

Dimensions

overall: 201 x 68 mm

Description

This beautifully carved and painted limestone shabti was found in the excavated tomb of Henut-ta-neb, in Abydos, Upper Egypt, (tomb D51). The inscription however identifies that this figure belonged to another, Pa-ser, ‘the guardian to the lord of the twin lands’. This may be evidence of an intrusive burial; a burial added to the tomb of Henut-ta-neb, years after her death. Alternatively, these objects may have become mixed up when they were excavated.

This shabti wears a fashionable two-piece wig and is wrapped in a white linen shroud. His crossed hands hold hoes, and he carries a woven basket and a yoke with two water-pots on his back. The six rows of hieroglyphs around his body invoke Chapter six of the ‘Book of the Dead’, which magically ensures this shabti will do agricultural labour for Pa-ser in the afterlife.

Credit Line/Donor

Gifted by the Egypt Exploration Fund, 1900

ID Number

1900.126.bk

Location

Kelvingrove Ancient Egypt Gallery