Shabti

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A shabti is a model of a servant, buried with an ancient Egyptian in order to perform menial tasks in the Afterlife on behalf of the deceased. This shabti carved in steatite dates from the New Kingdom, mid 18th Dynasty (around 1539 to 1295 BC).

The shabti shows the owner wearing a lappet wig and broad collar, holding a pick and hoe, and with a basket slung by two cords across the back. The hieroglyphic inscription is Chapter VI of the Book of the Dead.

The Book of the Dead is a collection of texts containing magic formulas and instructions. First compiled and edited in the 16th century BC, other texts were added over the years. They were written on papyrus or other materials, and buried with the deceased to help in the Afterlife.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-104-554-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  A.1965.23
• Date: 18th Dynasty
  New Kingdom: mid 18th Dynasty (around 1539 to 1295 BC)
  
• Material:
• Dimensions: 5.00" H
  
• What:
• Subject: Shabtis
  
• Who:
• Where: Ancient Egypt
  
• Event:
• Description: Shabti in dark green steatite showing the owner wearing a lappet wig and broad collar, inscribed with Chapter VI of the Book of the Dead: Ancient Egyptian, Middle 18th Dynasty
  
• References:
• Translations:
• Related Records: