Ushabti (Tomb Servant)
Date664-525 BCE
PeriodLate Period, 26th dynasty
Place CollectedLuxor, Egypt, Africa
MediumWood, paint, gesso
Dimensions32 x 4.8 x 7.2 cm (12 5/8 x 1 7/8 x 2 13/16 in.)
Credit LineGift of Drs. John and Bessie Sawhill
Object number76.1.360
On View
Not on viewCollections
Label TextUshabti – ‘one who answers’ – are tomb servants intended to do the labor of the deceased in the ancient Egyptian afterlife. Tombs have at least 365 ushabti, to ensure a new servant each day of the year. Wealthy tombs also included overseer ushabti to ensure work was carried out.
In this display, we have included various ushabti: some are carved from cheap limestone or wood and painted to resemble the mummified deceased, while others were made in brilliant turquoise faience (glazed ceramic). Although made of common materials, faience was a high-status material. On account of its brilliant surface, it was considered magical, glimmering with the brilliance of eternity, filled with the undying shimmer of the sun and imbued with the powers of rebirth.
Place CollectedLuxor, Egypt, Africa
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