New photography by Shannon Ruff captured with a digital camera-2007.

Shabti Figure

Artist Unknown

CultureEgyptian

DateThird Intermediate Period, Dynasty 21, 1075-945 B.C.E.

MediumFaience

DimensionsOverall: 4 in. (10.2 cm)

Inscribed- Label stuck in the back of the statuette:; Reading "The Divine Father of Amen - Pa-Uia", XXIst Dynasty, Thebes, E. Armytage Collection;

Credit LineGift of Walter P. Chrysler, Jr.

Object number71.2217.7

On View

Chrysler Museum of Art, Gallery 109

Label TextShabties of Pa-Sen Third Intermediate Period, Dynasty 21, 1075-945 B.C.E. Faience, glazed Gift of Walter P. Chrysler, Jr. 71.2217.3-4, 71.2217.7, respectively Shabties, or ushabties ("answerers"), appear in abundance in Egyptian tombs. These tiny, mummiform human figures were designed to function as servants of the deceased and to labor for them in the eternal fields of the afterlife. Many are inscribed with their owner's name-here, Imenemipet and Pa-Sen-and carry invocations meant to join the owner in death with Osiris, god of the underworld. By the New Kingdom, many well-stocked tombs had 365 shabty figures, one for each day of the year. Though they were sometimes fashioned of wood or stone, shabties made of faience, or glazed ceramic, are the most common. Exhibition History"The Allure of Ancient Egypt," Selden Arcade, Norfolk, VA, June 18 - August 17, 2013.