This Shabti is a funerary figurine sourced from the necropolis of Tuna el-Gebel in the Minya Governorate. Made of terracotta, this artifact is approximately 17 cm in height and is believed to be from Egypt's Late Period, specifically between the 26th and 30th Dynasties (664-332 BC).
The figurine is shaped like a mummy, indicative of the traditional representation of a deceased person wrapped in linen bandages. The body details and folds of the linen shroud have been accurately and intricately designed in the terracotta.
The face of the figurine is characterized by a serene and youthful expression. Defined features include almond-shaped eyes, a long nose, and restrained lips. The figurine is adorned with a 'nemes,' a headdress typically worn by royalty, possibly denoting the status of the person for whom the Shabti has been created or a reference to Osiris, god of the underworld.
Accompanying the Shabti is a terracotta replica of a hoe, signifying the prescribed role of the 'Shabti' or 'answerer,' to undertake manual labor on behalf of the deceased in the afterlife. Inscriptions of ancient hieroglyphics, taken from the 'Book of the Dead,' particularly Spell 6, are visible on the legs of the figurine, corroborating this purpose.
