Object Record
Images
Metadata
Title |
Ushabti/Shawabati |
Object ID |
2007.1.4R |
Collection |
EGYPTIAN |
Object Name |
Shawabti |
Material |
Stone |
Dimensions |
H-8.2 cm |
Description |
Ushabti figure with trace of blue glaze. This artefact was presented to the Institute of Jamaica by the executors of the estate of Sir Robert Mond (1867-1938), an industrial chemist and archaeologist who financed and worked at archaeological excavations in Egypt. One of his colleagues was Sir Howard Carter, co-discoverer of the famous tomb of Tutankhamun in 1926. FUNERARY STATUETTES The ancient Egyptians believed that the hereafter was not a place totally devoid of hardship. Just as in life, many would be required to provide agricultural labour in the afterlife. From the late Middle Kingdom until the Greco-Roman Period, those who could afford it would take to the grave one or more funerary statuettes to carry out the farming duties for them. Terms for them include - shabti, shawabti and ushabti. In the l8th Dynasty the statuettes started to combine the mummified figure of the deceased with agricultural or other implements. The appearance of shabtis gradually changed in some ways over time. |
Credit line |
Courtesy: The Institute of Jamaica |
Legal Status |
This image can be used for educational purposes without restrictions. A higher quality image may attract fees. |
Provenance |
Egypt |
Web Rights |
In Copyrights |