Shabti Box and Shabtis of Djedmutesankh
Two of the wooden boxes found in the Chamber of Tomb MMA 60 contained small faience "shabti" figures inscribed for the Lady Djedmutesankh. These figures would have worked on behalf of their owner if she were called on to carry out manual labor in the afterlife. 306 shabtis were found by the excavators, but Djedmutesankh originally might have had over 400: one "worker" shabti for each day of the year and additional "overseer" figures to supervise the others.
This box (Box I in the excavation records) was found right-side up and half full of shabtis, with the cords that had once held the box closed still present but the seals gone. The other (25.3.18, Box III in the excavation records) was found fallen on its side, with a number of shabtis spilled out onto the ground next to it.
This box (Box I in the excavation records) was found right-side up and half full of shabtis, with the cords that had once held the box closed still present but the seals gone. The other (25.3.18, Box III in the excavation records) was found fallen on its side, with a number of shabtis spilled out onto the ground next to it.
Artwork Details
- Title: Shabti Box and Shabtis of Djedmutesankh
- Period: Third Intermediate Period
- Dynasty: Dynasty 21
- Date: ca. 1000–945 B.C.
- Geography: From Egypt, Upper Egypt, Thebes, Deir el-Bahri, Tomb MMA 60, Chamber, Burial of Djedmutesankh (Ch5), MMA excavations, 1923–24
- Medium: Wood, faience
- Dimensions: 48.5 x 63 cm (19 1/8 x 24 13/16 in.)
- Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1925
- Object Number: 25.3.17
- Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art
Audio
1149. Kids: Shabti box with shabtis, Part 1
Gallery 126
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ca. 924–889 B.C.
ca. 990–970 B.C.
ca. 1000–945 B.C.
ca. 1000–945 B.C.
656–650 BC
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