<em>Shabty of the Scribe Amunemhat</em>, ca. 1400–1336 B.C.E. Wood, pigment (Egyptian blue), 8 9/16 × 2 9/16 × 1 7/8 in. (21.8 × 6.5 × 4.8 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 50.129. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , 50.129_PS9.jpg)

Shabty of the Scribe Amunemhat, ca. 1400–1336 B.C.E. Wood, pigment (Egyptian blue), 8 9/16 × 2 9/16 × 1 7/8 in. (21.8 × 6.5 × 4.8 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 50.129. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , 50.129_PS9.jpg)

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Shabty of the Scribe Amunemhat

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

Shabties were figures included in the tomb that would work for the deceased in the afterlife when the proper spell was recited. The best shabties were kept in special boxes made for the purpose.

Even elite funerary objects could be reused. Microscopic analyses of the inscriptions on these objects reveal that Amunemhat is not the original name on this shabty or shabty box. Instead, the original name was removed and these objects were reinscribed. The shabty is made from imported cedar, a very expensive material.

MEDIUM Wood, pigment (Egyptian blue)

Possible Place Collected: Thebes, Egypt

DATES ca. 1400–1336 B.C.E.

DYNASTY Dynasty 18

PERIOD New Kingdom

DIMENSIONS 8 9/16 × 2 9/16 × 1 7/8 in. (21.8 × 6.5 × 4.8 cm) (show scale)

COLLECTIONS Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

ACCESSION NUMBER 50.129

CREDIT LINE Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund

CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Brown wood ushabti of the Scribe Amenemhet. Conventional mummiform type with plain lappet wig, arms crossed but hands clasp nothing. Eight lines of incised inscription inlaid in green. Originally bearded. Condition: Beard lost from figure. Name obliterated in antiquity and replace leaving surrounding are damaged. Minor chips.

EXHIBITIONS

To Live Forever: Egyptian Treasures from the Brooklyn Museum

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view

CAPTION Shabty of the Scribe Amunemhat, ca. 1400–1336 B.C.E. Wood, pigment (Egyptian blue), 8 9/16 × 2 9/16 × 1 7/8 in. (21.8 × 6.5 × 4.8 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 50.129. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , 50.129_PS9.jpg)

IMAGE overall, 50.129_PS9.jpg., 2018

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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY

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