Shabti Box of Ankhshepenwepet
ca. 712–664 B.C.
Third Intermediate Period (Kushite)
The burial of Ankhshepenwepet included two small wooden shabti boxes with vaulted ends and flat lids. These were painted white, and inscribed with an offering prayer in black bordered with red lines around the box. As was usual for shabti boxes of this era, each lid was painted with an image of a boat in green-blue, yellow, and red, with a band of blue-green beneath the boat to represent water. These representations are likely connected with a pilgrimage to the sacred site of Abydos, cult place of the god Osiris, ruler of the dead. By traveling to this holy place, either in reality or symbolically, the deceased became associated with this god and was aided in his or her journey to join the ranks of the blessed dead.
On the other box (25.3.207), the boat has its sail up, as if it were traveling south on its return from Abydos. This one depicts a boat with a cabin, perhaps meant to represent a second boat towed by the sailing boat. The re-animated deceased could take shelter within the kiosk.
Inside the boxes were a total of 374 (158 in one and 216 in the other) small unbaked mud figures called shabtis, one for each day of the year. These were meant to carry out menial labor on behalf of the deceased if she were called upon to work in the afterlife.
itle: Shabti Box of Ankhshepenwepet
Period: Third Intermediate Period (Kushite)
Dynasty: Dynasty 25–26
Date: ca. 712–664 B.C.
Geography: From Egypt, Upper Egypt, Thebes, Deir el-Bahri, Tomb MMA 56, MMA excavations, 1923–24
Medium: Wood, paint
Dimensions: L. 25 cm (9 13/16 in.); h. 19.5 cm ( 7 11/16 in.)
Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1925
Accession Number: 25.3.206.1a, b
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