Shabti of Isis, Singer of the Aten

Period:
New Kingdom, Amarna Period
Dynasty:
Dynasty 18
Reign:
reign of Akhenaten
Date:
ca. 1353–1336 B.C.
Geography:
Country of Origin Egypt, Middle Egypt, probably el-Amarna (Akhetaten)
Medium:
Limestone
Dimensions:
h. 21.3 (8 3/8 in)
Credit Line:
Purchase, Fletcher Fund and The Guide Foundation Inc. Gift, 1966
Accession Number:
66.99.38
  • Description

    This female shabti belonged to a Singer of the Aten, the god worshipped by Akhenaten. In a seeming paradox, but one that speaks of the strong psychological and cultural ties of ordinary Egyptians to the traditional religion, the owner's name is Isis, the name of the great funerary goddess who was the wife of the underworld god Osiris. the facial features, including the so-called sfumato eyes, closely resemble the style of Amarna (see 47.57.2).

  • Provenance

    Previously in the collection of von Frey, Germany, who sold it to the dealer Burg, whose widow sold it to Spink in England. Purchased from Spink in New York by Albert Gallatin in April, 1948. Gallatin Collection purchased by the Metropolitan Museum from Mr. Gallatin's estate, 1966.

  • See also
    What
    Where
    When
    In the Museum
    Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History
    MetPublications
100002448

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