Shabti

The head and upper torso of a mummiform shabti wearing a plain tripartite wig painted black. The arms are crossed right over left on the chest, and the hands hold a pair of hoes added in black. A simply outlined basket is carried behind the left shoulder. The face is summarily defined, and has the eyes with brows added in black. The shabti has a vertical column of inscription on the front. Unfortunately, because the lower part is missing, the name of the owner is unknown. The shabti is recorded as coming from Esna, from the excavations undertaken by John Garstang and Harold Jones during the 1905 and 1906 seasons (see cat. No. 63). A faint pencil mark just below the wig might indicate it was classified in an object group as noted by Downes. The end of the number, that is assumed to comprise three digits, is unclear. The first two are 24. There is no mention of shabtis in the lists of object groups starting with 24 published by Downes. ‘Tomb 260E’ is noted on the museum database, but this refers to a tomb group that is not mentioned by Downes. Transliteration and translation of the inscription: sHD Wsir ...., "The illuminated one, The Osiris, ….".