Description:
Bearded mummiform figure of turquoise green faience. Facial features shown; plaited beard. Crossed arms. Exposed hands hold implements: hoe and cord for seed bag on proper left; pick on right. Seed bag shown on back of left shoulder. Figure has back pillar and base. Bottom of wig set off from back pillar. Legs swell at calves. No text. From same mold as MH 1910.8.4.A.K and MH 1910.8.5.A.K.
Label Text:
Ancient Egyptians were obliged to perform certain tasks for the state, including agricultural labor. Small mummy-shaped figurines called “shabtis” were introduced to perform this work in the afterlife and often carried hoes or seed-baskets. Initially, the deceased was given only one shabti, but the number increased dramatically over time. From the 18th Dynasty on, shabtis sometimes appeared dressed as living people rather than as mummies. These statuettes could be made of earthenware, Egyptian faience, stone, or other materials. Egyptian faience, a ceramic substance composed of quartz granules fused with alkali, frequently appears in bright colors that imitate lapis lazuli or turquoise.
2016
Tags:
ancient; archaeology; tombs; deaths; afterlife; religion; rituals; ceremonies; sculpture; agriculture Subjects:
Religion; Rites and ceremonies; Agriculture; archaeological objects; Civilization, Ancient; Death; Future life; Rituals; Sculpture; Tombs Link to share this object record:
https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=MH+1910.8.3.A.K |
