Shabti, modern tourist art, Menkheperre type
Country
Egypt
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Object detail
Description
Shabti, made of buff coloured clay, with areas of dark burnishing on the outside. The figure stands upright, with crossed arms holding equipment. Hieroglyphics are present on the front of the figure, representing a spell from the Book of the Dead designed to bring the worker to life to perform work. The reverse has tool marks. Broken through the upper body at the shoulders which has been repaired.
The Menkheperre type of modern shabti is so called as it contains the cartouche reading Menkheperre the prenomen name of Thutmose III in the centre of the chest, other examples also contain a second cartouche in the lower band of text which attempts to present the name Setepenre. Figures are shown wearing the nemes/wig hyprid and broad collar and holds tools which combine the gow and mattock with the tails of a flail. This is a very common type identfied in museums around the world. [See Potter 2022 A note on Modern (Fake) Shabtis as tourist art, Journal of Egyptian Archaeology 1-8.]
The Menkheperre type of modern shabti is so called as it contains the cartouche reading Menkheperre the prenomen name of Thutmose III in the centre of the chest, other examples also contain a second cartouche in the lower band of text which attempts to present the name Setepenre. Figures are shown wearing the nemes/wig hyprid and broad collar and holds tools which combine the gow and mattock with the tails of a flail. This is a very common type identfied in museums around the world. [See Potter 2022 A note on Modern (Fake) Shabtis as tourist art, Journal of Egyptian Archaeology 1-8.]
Classification
ARCHAEOLOGY Egyptian figure
Production place
Measurements
L162mm x W54mm x D42mm
Media/Materials description
Pottery -made of fired clay, complete or fragmented
Inclusions to make the clay less sticky, reduce shrinkage, increase resistance to thermal shock and strength prior to firing.
Inclusions to make the clay less sticky, reduce shrinkage, increase resistance to thermal shock and strength prior to firing.
History and use
Shabtis are funerary figurines, with the appearance of mummiform people. They were buried with a person, standing in place of the deceased and their servants. Their duty was to act as servants in the afterlife, perfoming menial, laborious labour on behalf of the deceased. This usually involved food production, including planting, cultivating and irrigating fields. This is represented by the hands holding hoes, and baskets are drawn on the back of the workers. They were popular from the Middle Kingdom. This is not an authentic antiquity, and has been made for the tourist market.
Registration number
H11261
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