Worker Shabti of Henettawy (C), Daughter of Isetemkheb
Unknown Artist
ca. 990–970 B.C.
Medium
Faience
Dimensions
h. 11.8 × w. 4.4 × d. 3.7 cm (4 5/8 × 1 3/4 × 1 7/16 in.)
Classification
Worker Shabti, Henettawy C
Period
Third Intermediate Period
Department
Egyptian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1925
Accession Number
25.3.20.35
Art Historical Context
Step into the mystical world of ancient Egyptian afterlife beliefs with this charming *Worker Shabti of Henettawy (C), Daughter Isetemkheb*. Crafted around 990–970 B.C. during Egypt's Third Intermediate Period (Dynasty 21), this faience figurine stands just 11.8 cm tall. Shabtis like this one were tomb companions, magically activated by spells from the *Book of the Dead* to laborious tasks—such as farming or building—for their owner in the afterlife, sparing nobles like Henettawy, a high-ranking priestess and daughter of the influential Isetemkheb, from such toil. Faience, the shabti's medium...