Object Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog number |
59.24 |
Artist |
Unknown |
Title |
Shawabti Figurine of the Pharaoh Amenhotep I |
Date |
Early 18th Century |
Object Name |
Shawabti |
Description |
One of the oldest pieces in the museum's collection, this Shawabti of the Pharaoh Amenhotep I dates from the early 18th Dynasty, or the New Kingdom. Shawabti (or shabti, ushabti, shawabty) are funerary figurines places with other grave goods in the tombs of pharaohs representing servants in the afterlife. This figurine is exceptional, however, and had led to speculation upoin its differences. Larger and made withfiner material than most, this shawabti is of the Pharaoh himself and not a worker. Most shawabti were multiple and smaller. Because of this figurine's size, it is considered unique. The inscription has a variation of the usual phrase sending the figure to action. At the time of Amenhotep I, Thebes was the capital of Egypt, and his reign saw many developments in civilization. These include: The Egyptian Book of the Dead, the Ebers Papyrus (one of the earliest medical documents), and the first water clock. It is possible that this figurine comes from the funerary cult of Amenhotep I and was used during in rituals during the many festivals and feasts which honored him. Donated in 1959 by Charles Bolles Rogers, this shawabti is one of the foundational gifts to the Godwin-Ternbach Museum. (Mary Billyou, 2024) |
Medium/Material |
Alabster |
Dimensions |
H-9 inches |
Year Range from |
1545 |
Year Range to |
1525 |
Search Terms |
Ancient Egypt Africa Shawabty Shabti Ushabti Shawabti Second Intermediate Period New Kingdom 16th century BC Funerary Ceremonial Ritual |
Exhibition and Publication History |
*"Queens College Art Collection," 1960, # *Exhibited Huntington Library, 1978-79. *Newslet G-TM Newsletter Spring 1992. *Published Q, The Queens College Report, vol. 9, Fall 1992, pp.1-3, "QC's One-of-a-kind Museum may have One-of-a-kind Artifact," photo p. 1. *"Director's Choice, Part I," G-TM, 4/17-6/1/02, #40. Amy Winter, Curator. Exploring the Language of Form: October 17, 2024 – May 1, 2025, Godwin-Ternbach Museum |
Culture |
Egyptian |