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Shawabty of Huy

Egyptian
New Kingdom, Dynasty 19
1295–1186 B.C.

Medium/Technique Wood with painted gesso
Dimensions Height: 23.5 cm (9 1/4 in.)
Credit Line Hay Collection—Gift of C. Granville Way
Accession Number72.4902

DescriptionPainted wooden shawabty wearing a black tripartite wig and brightly painted broad collar over a white shroud. In each hand, he holds a hoe, and a water jar is slung over his shoulder. 6 horizontal bands of hieroglyphic text on a yellow background surround the lower half of the body. They contain the shawabty spell from Chapter 6 of the Book of the Dead, and identify the owner of the shawabty as a man named Huy.
ProvenanceBy 1836: Robert Hay Collection, Linplum, Scotland; 1863: to his son, Robert James Alexander Hay; 1868-1872: Way Collection, Boston (purchased by Samuel A. Way through London dealers Rollin and Feuardent, 27 Haymarket); 1872: given to the MFA by Samuel's son, C. Granville Way.
(Accession Date: June 28, 1872)