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Shawabty of Hetepef-Hesu(?)
Egyptian
Late Period, Dynasty 26–30
664–332 B.C.
Findspot: Egypt, Giza, Pit G 7632 A, room A IX(?)
Medium/Technique
Faience
Dimensions
Overall: 7.8 cm (3 1/16 in.)
Credit Line
Harvard University—Boston Museum of Fine Arts Expedition
Accession Number25.4639
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsAncient Egypt, Nubia and the Near East
ClassificationsTomb equipment – Shawabties and shawabty boxes
DescriptionThis shawabty dates to the Late Period. The typology of this period consists of a tripartite wig, long beard, back pillar and base, with the figure holding the pick on the right shoulder and hoe and cord to a small seed bag on the left. Here the arms are crossed opposite right over left. The incised text is on the flat back of the figure, no back pillar is present. The object was broken in three pieces; two are now mended. There is a crack in the ankle and base. The shawabty is crudely formed with little detail present. The back is flat and there is no wig line or seed bag. There are finger impressions on the back.
An ancient Egyptian shawabty is a funerary figurine that was intended to magically animate in the Afterlife in order to act as a proxy for the deceased when called upon to tend to field labor or other tasks. This expressed purpose was sometimes written on the shawabty itself in the form of a "Shawabty Spell," of which versions of various lengths are known. Shorter shawabty inscriptions could also just identify the deceased by name and, when applicable, title(s). However, many shawabtys carry no text at all. The ideal number of such figurines to include in a tomb or burial seems to have varied during different time periods.
An ancient Egyptian shawabty is a funerary figurine that was intended to magically animate in the Afterlife in order to act as a proxy for the deceased when called upon to tend to field labor or other tasks. This expressed purpose was sometimes written on the shawabty itself in the form of a "Shawabty Spell," of which versions of various lengths are known. Shorter shawabty inscriptions could also just identify the deceased by name and, when applicable, title(s). However, many shawabtys carry no text at all. The ideal number of such figurines to include in a tomb or burial seems to have varied during different time periods.
ProvenanceFrom Giza, Pit G7632A, room A IX(?). 1925 : excavated by the Harvard University–Boston Museum of Fine Arts Expedition; assigned to the MFA in the division of finds by the government of Egypt.