Shabti Box of Henettawy (C), Daughter of Isetemkheb

Third Intermediate Period

ca. 990–970 B.C.

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.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

References

Title:
Shabti Box of Henettawy (C), Daughter of Isetemkheb
Period: Third Intermediate Period
Dynasty: Dynasty 21
Date: ca. 990–970 B.C.
Geography: From Egypt, Upper Egypt, Thebes, Deir el-Bahri, Tomb MMA 60, Chamber B, Burial of Henettawy C (4), MMA excavations, 1923–24
Medium: Wood, whitewash, fiber, mud
Dimensions: H. 52.5 x L. 51 cm
H. 53 cm x L. 53 cm
Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1925
Object Number: 25.3.20.1a–c
Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art

More Artwork

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Shabti Box and Shabtis of Henettawy (C), Daughter of Isetemkheb

ca. 990–970 B.C.

Stela of Aafenmut, Wood, gesso, paint — Stela of Aafenmut
ca. 924–889 B.C.

Mummy Board inscribed for Henettawy daughter of Isetemkheb, Wood, gesso, paint — Mummy Board inscribed for Henettawy daughter of Isetemkheb
ca. 990–970 B.C.

Coffin Set of the Chantress of Amun-Re Henettawy, Wood, gesso, paint, varnish — Coffin Set of the Chantress of Amun-Re Henettawy
ca. 1000–945 B.C.

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 B.C.

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