SHABTI FIGURINE (Figure)
1884.57.11
This shabti is one of thousands excavated from tombs across ancient Egypt, becoming one of the most commonly collected items within museums today. This object was displayed in the co-curated gallery trail "Nothing Without Us: Experiences of Disability" at the Pitt Rivers Museum, curated by Kyle Lewis Jordan, running from 16th November 2023 - 6th...
Rights information: Copyright: Pitt Rivers Museum, University of Oxford
Description
This shabti is one of thousands excavated from tombs across ancient Egypt, becoming one of the most commonly collected items within museums today. This object was displayed in the co-curated gallery trail "Nothing Without Us: Experiences of Disability" at the Pitt Rivers Museum, curated by Kyle Lewis Jordan, running from 16th November 2023 - 6th October 2024.
Community curation: Ancient Egyptians were expected to work, even in the Afterlife. As a disabled person who can't work, I am aware of how work is used to give meaning to people. Shabtis were included in Egyptian burials to do their work for them. They were an expression of care and ensured the dead person was able to contribute even if too old, tired or disabled to work.
The Egyptians believed that the deceased could bring them to life by speaking the prayer inscribed on their bodies. - Rachel C, in need of a Shabti!