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Shabti inscribed for Nesbanebdjedet

Late Period
380–343 BCE
Not on view
This shabti comes from a tomb chamber discovered in 1902 at the site of the ancient city of Mendes (Tell el-Rub’a), the capital of Egypt for a short time during the Late Period. On top of a slab over this chamber were over 360 complete shabtis, plus a number of fragments and several amulets; in the chamber beneath was a mummy adorned with trappings of gold leaf (see Cairo CG 53465–53469). Most of the shabtis were inscribed, like this one, for the priest Nesbanebdjedet. Of these, 322 had the type of T-shaped inscription seen here (see also 10.130.1044a and b). Several of Nesbanebdjedet’s shabtis remained in Egypt; others can be found in museum and private collections around the world.

Nesbanebdjedet’s priestly titles associate him with the cult of the ram-god Banebdjedet, who was part of the Mendesian triad with the goddess Hatmehyt and the child god Harpocrates.

See below for a translation of the inscription.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Shabti inscribed for Nesbanebdjedet
  • Period: Late Period
  • Dynasty: Dynasty 30
  • Date: 380–343 BCE
  • Geography: From Egypt; Presumably from Eastern Delta, Mendes (Tell el-Ruba), Burial of Nesbanebdjed, Egyptian Antiquities Service excavations/Aly Habib 1902
  • Medium: Faience
  • Dimensions: H. 17.3 × W. 5 × D. 3.7 cm (6 13/16 × 1 15/16 × 1 7/16 in.)
  • Credit Line: Bequest of Nanette B. Kelekian, 2020
  • Object Number: 2021.41.126
  • Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art

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