Shabti of the Treasurer of Lower Egypt Pa-abumeh, called Psamtik-seneb
Although there a number of shabtis for Pa-abumeh in collections around the world, including 22 in Cairo and eight at The Met, the location of his tomb is not known. As a Treasurer of the King of Lower Egypt and King's Acquaintance, it is possible that he was buried at Saqqara, where many of the highest officials of his time had their tombs.
No two of Pa-abumeh's shabtis at The Met are identical, but all are mummiform, with the arms crossed over the chest and the hands and head emerging from the wrappings. The features of the faces are generally well-defined, and the strap that holds the long divine beard to the chin can be seen in several examples, including this one. The left hand holds a pick and the right hand holds a hoe, along with a twisted cord that leads to a basket behind the left shoulder.
Ten horizontal lines of inscription cover the body and legs, wrapping around to meet on either side of the back pillar; the text continues in a single column on this pillar. The beginning of the text gives Pa-abumeh's name and "good name" (Psamtik-seneb) and titles, and identifies his father as Aakha and his mother as Tawepetnefert. This is followed by Spell 6 from the Book of the Dead, in which Pa-abumeh speaks to his shabtis, asking that they present themselves on his behalf if there is agricultural work to be done in the realm of the dead.
No two of Pa-abumeh's shabtis at The Met are identical, but all are mummiform, with the arms crossed over the chest and the hands and head emerging from the wrappings. The features of the faces are generally well-defined, and the strap that holds the long divine beard to the chin can be seen in several examples, including this one. The left hand holds a pick and the right hand holds a hoe, along with a twisted cord that leads to a basket behind the left shoulder.
Ten horizontal lines of inscription cover the body and legs, wrapping around to meet on either side of the back pillar; the text continues in a single column on this pillar. The beginning of the text gives Pa-abumeh's name and "good name" (Psamtik-seneb) and titles, and identifies his father as Aakha and his mother as Tawepetnefert. This is followed by Spell 6 from the Book of the Dead, in which Pa-abumeh speaks to his shabtis, asking that they present themselves on his behalf if there is agricultural work to be done in the realm of the dead.
Artwork Details
- Title: Shabti of the Treasurer of Lower Egypt Pa-abumeh, called Psamtik-seneb
- Period: Late Period
- Dynasty: Dynasty 26–29
- Reign: reign of Psamtik II or later
- Date: 595–380 BC
- Geography: From Egypt
- Medium: Faience
- Dimensions: H. 15.3 × W. 4.6 × D. 3.1 cm (6 × 1 13/16 × 1 1/4 in.)
- Credit Line: Bequest of Mary Anna Palmer Draper, 1915
- Object Number: 15.43.11
- Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art
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595–380 BC
332–30 BCE
332–30 BCE
332–30 BCE
4th century B.C.
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