Shabti (front)

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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 example of faience dates from the New Kingdom, 18th Dynasty (around 1539 to 1295 BC). This picture shows the front.

The shabti is in the form of a mummy, and holds picks and baskets. The details are inlaid in purple-grey faience. The eyes and eyebrows were originally inlaid in blue glass. A hieroglyphic inscription down the front names 'The Overseer of Workmen in Huy'.

Some wealthy Egyptians were buried with a shabti for each day of the year. Overseer shabtis with whips are also sometimes found.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-104-525-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  A.1953.320
• Date: 18th Dynasty
  New Kingdom: 18th Dynasty (around 1539 to 1295 BC)
  
• Material: Shabti
  
• Dimensions: 7.50" H
  
• What: Shabti
  
• Subject: Shabtis
  
• Who: Huy, Overseer of Workmen in Pi-Re-c (Heliopolis)
  
• Where: Ancient Egypt
  
• Event:
• Description: Mummiform shabti in cream glazed faience with an inscription naming Huy: Ancient Egyptian, 18th Dynasty
  
• References:
• Translations:
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