Shabti of Yuya
In 1905, Theodore M. Davis of Providence, R.I. was sponsoring excavations in the Valley of the Kings. On February 5, his excavator, James E. Quibell, discovered an intact tomb, KV 46, that contained the burials of Yuya and Tjuyu. Although not of royal ancestry themselves, Yuya and Tjuyu were the father and mother of Queen Tiye, the principal wife of Amenhotep III, mother of Akhenaten, and grandmother of Tutankhamun. As in-laws of the king, Yuya and Tjuyu were given a well appointed burial in the royal cemetery.
The majority of the objects from the tomb are now in the Egyptian Museum, Cairo, but Davis was allowed to keep a small portion of the finds including three shabtis, two shabti boxes, and a set of shabti tools. Carved of cedar, with the face, part of the headdress, and necklace covered with gold foil, this shabti is the most sumptuous of the three. It has been inscribed with chapter six of the Book of the Dead. This spell ensures that the shabti will take Yuya's place if he is required to perform agricultural labor in the afterlife.
Other pieces from the tomb that are now in the Museum's collection include two sealed storage jars, and a pair of sandals.
The majority of the objects from the tomb are now in the Egyptian Museum, Cairo, but Davis was allowed to keep a small portion of the finds including three shabtis, two shabti boxes, and a set of shabti tools. Carved of cedar, with the face, part of the headdress, and necklace covered with gold foil, this shabti is the most sumptuous of the three. It has been inscribed with chapter six of the Book of the Dead. This spell ensures that the shabti will take Yuya's place if he is required to perform agricultural labor in the afterlife.
Other pieces from the tomb that are now in the Museum's collection include two sealed storage jars, and a pair of sandals.
Artwork Details
- Title: Shabti of Yuya
- Period: New Kingdom
- Dynasty: Dynasty 18
- Reign: reign of Amenhotep III
- Date: ca. 1390–1352 B.C.
- Geography: From Egypt, Upper Egypt, Thebes, Valley of the Kings, Tomb of Yuya and Tjuyu (KV 46), Davis/Quibell & Weigall excavations, 1905
- Medium: Cedar, gold, paint
- Dimensions: H. 26.5 × W. 8 × D. 5 cm (10 7/16 × 3 1/8 × 1 15/16 in.)
- Credit Line: Theodore M. Davis Collection, Bequest of Theodore M. Davis, 1915
- Object Number: 30.8.56
- Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
ca. 1525–1504 B.C.
ca. 1353–1336 B.C.
ca. 1294–1279 B.C.
ca. 1390–1352 B.C.
ca. 1279–1213 B.C.
Related Content
Publications
Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.
Free to download
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.