Shabtis of Ankhshepenwepet
The burial of Ankhshepenwepet included two small wooden shabti boxes with vaulted ends and flat lids (see 25.3.206.1a, b and 25.3.207.1a, b). A total of 371 mummiform shabtis are divided between the two boxes, with 157 in this box and 214 in the other.
The shabtis are small and crudely made in one-sided molds, but would have functioned, like other more elaborate examples (see 86.1.22), to carry out manual labor on behalf of the deceased if she were to be called upon to work in the afterlife. All are of the same basic shape and have no distinguishing characteristics, in contrast to other assemblages in which some shabtis are shown as workers (carrying agricultural tools) and the others as overseers (holding whips). However, most of them may still have meant to represent workers, perhaps one for each day of the year, and the others to stand in as overseers.
The shabtis are small and crudely made in one-sided molds, but would have functioned, like other more elaborate examples (see 86.1.22), to carry out manual labor on behalf of the deceased if she were to be called upon to work in the afterlife. All are of the same basic shape and have no distinguishing characteristics, in contrast to other assemblages in which some shabtis are shown as workers (carrying agricultural tools) and the others as overseers (holding whips). However, most of them may still have meant to represent workers, perhaps one for each day of the year, and the others to stand in as overseers.
Artwork Details
- Title: Shabtis of Ankhshepenwepet
- Period: Late Period
- Dynasty: Dynasty 25–26
- Date: ca. 675–650 B.C.
- Geography: From Egypt, Upper Egypt, Thebes, Deir el-Bahri, Tomb of Ankhshepenwepet (MMA 56), MMA excavations, 1923–24
- Medium: Mud
- Dimensions: average: L. 4.7 × W. 1.5 cm (1 7/8 × 9/16 in.)
- Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1925
- Object Number: 25.3.206.2–.158
- 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. 675–650 B.C.
ca. 1000–945 B.C.
ca. 1000–945 B.C.
ca. 1000–945 B.C.
ca. 1000–945 B.C.
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.