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Shabti Box and Shabtis of Djedmutesankh

Third Intermediate Period
ca. 1000–945 BCE
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 126
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 III in the excavation records) was found fallen on its side, with a number of shabtis spilled out onto the ground next to it. The other (25.3.17, Box III in the excavation records) was right-side up and half full of shabtis, with the cords that had once held the box closed still present but the seals gone.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Shabti Box and Shabtis of Djedmutesankh
  • Period: Third Intermediate Period
  • Dynasty: Dynasty 21
  • Date: ca. 1000–945 BCE
  • Geography: From Egypt, Upper Egypt, Thebes, Deir el-Bahri, Tomb MMA 60, Chamber, Burial of Djedmutesankh (Ch5), MMA excavations, 1923–24
  • Medium: Wood
  • Dimensions: 47.5 x 62.5 cm (18 11/16 x 24 5/8 in.)
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1925
  • Object Number: 25.3.18
  • Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art

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Osiris Shroud of Djedmutesankh, Linen, red ink
Osiris Shroud of Djedmutesankh
ca. 1080–945 BCE
Shabti Box of Yuya, Painted wood
Shabti Box of Yuya
ca. 1386–1347 BCE
Outer Coffin of the Chantress of Amun-Re Henettawy, Wood, gesso, paint, varnish
Outer Coffin of the Chantress of Amun-Re Henettawy
ca. 1000–945 BCE
Outer Coffin of Djedmutesankh, Wood, paste, paint
Outer Coffin of Djedmutesankh
ca. 1000–945 BCE
Shabti Box and Shabtis of Djedmutesankh, Wood, faience
Shabti Box and Shabtis of Djedmutesankh
ca. 1000–945 BCE

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