Shabti of Iawi

Mummiform shabti wearing a voluminous plain tripartite wig painted bluish–black except for the lower ends of the lappets that are left the underlying colour of the white limestone with horizontal red line decoration. Most of the paint on the wig has worn away or is faded. The arms, that are boldly modelled, are crossed right over left above the waist. There is no sign of implements being carried in the hands although these may have been added in paint that has now faded. The exposed flesh of the face, neck, and hands, are painted red. The ears are particularly well carved, although the right ear is slightly higher than the left. The body of the shabti has faint traces of horizontal bands of an inscription within a framework painted red. Much of this is very indistinct although the text is undoubtedly a version of Chapter 6 of the Book of the Dead. According to Gatty, the name of the owner is Awi. Perhaps this should be revised to Iawi as there seems to be a reed hieroglyph (i) before the vulture (A), unless this is part of the title that is now totally erased. Transliteration and translation of the inscription: sHd Wsir ...... IAwi Dd.f i..., "The illuminated one, the Osiris, … Iawi, he speaks: O, …". Translation of the inscription: The illuminated one, the Osiris, … Iawi, he speaks: O, …