Shabti Box of Henettawy (C), Daughter of Isetemkheb

Third Intermediate Period

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 126

Two wooden boxes (see also 25.3.19.1a–c.filled with "shabtis" inscribed for Henettawy (daughter of Isetemkheb) were found in Chamber B of Tomb MMA 60. These small magical figures would have worked for their owner in the afterlife if she were called upon to carry out manual labor, such as digging canals or creating sandbanks to hold back the floodwaters. Divided between these two boxes were a total of 411 shabtis, 374 mummiform workers with tools and baskets, and 37 kilted supervisors holding whips.

The boxes were found intact, with their lids still in place. They are made of small planks of reused wood of various types (including sycomore and pine or cedar), whitewashed inside and out. Each has two lids; one is pegged in place and the other is a true lid, sliding on grooves and secured by a string attached to the knobs.

Shabti Box of Henettawy (C), Daughter of Isetemkheb, Wood, whitewash, fiber, mud

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Shabti Box of Henettawy (C), Daughter of Isetemkheb, Wood, whitewash, fiber, mud
Shabti Box of Henettawy (C), Daughter of Isetemkheb, Wood, whitewash, fiber, mud
Shabti Box of Henettawy (C), Daughter of Isetemkheb, Wood, whitewash, fiber, mud

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