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Ancient Egyptian Ushabti, c. 26th Dynasty browse these categories for related items... Directory: Archives:Regional Art:Ancient World:Egyptian:Pre AD 1000: item # 146310 Please refer to our stock # ush001 when inquiring.
Janus Antiquities By Appointment New Jersey (330) 612-3957 Guest Book SOLD |
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Beginning in the Middle Kingdom, the ancient Egyptians were buried with small human statues called shabtis. These figures were to serve as servants in the afterlife, performing any work necessary so that the deceased could enjoy eternity in peace. This was accomplished by inscribing Chapter 6 of the Book of the Dead on the shabti, which reads:
"O shabti, if the deceased is called upon to do any of the work required there in the necropolis at any time...you shall say, 'Here I am, I will do it.'"
The Egyptians felt that the afterlife could involve a lot of work as food production was still needed to support the deceased. This would necessitate clearing the land, irrigation, shifting the sand from east to west, and other tasks described in funerary texts. As no one was particularly anxious to do this work after death, the popularity of shabtis exploded.?
By the Late Period, the term "shabti" had been largely replaced with "ushabti," which means "answerer." To enhance their efficiency, ushabtis produced in later periods, like this one, were equipped with implements like hoes and baskets. Ideally, a person would have been buried with as many as 365 ushabtis - one for every day of the year - along with 36 overseer ushabtis whose role was to manage the work of the working ushabtis.
AGE: Late Period, c. 26th-27th Dynasties CONDITION: Excellent. No breakage, chips, or restoration. Slight wear to face with a few mineral deposits on the back pillar, but overall details are very clear with legible hieroglyphics. DIMENSIONS: 6.25" tall |
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