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Material : Limestone
Height : 21
Found in : Deir Al-medina , Tomb of Sennedjem ()
Period : New Kingdom
Reign of : Ramsses II
Dynasty: XIX
Belonged_to: Khonsu , son of Sen-nedjem
This small statue was found among the grave goods in the Tomb of Sennedjem in Deir al-Medina , Luxor (ancient Thebes) . It was identified to date back to the Nineteenth Dynasty , during the reign of Ramesses II (1279-1212 BC) . Shawabtis (also known as 'Ushawabtis') were funerary figurines placed in tombs among the grave goods and intended to act as substitutes for the deceased , should he/she be called upon to do manual labor in the afterlife .
Made from limestone , the statuette is masterly carved in minute detail . Wrapped with bandages , the figure stands in the Osiride-form with his arms crossed and only his fists visible . Decorating the body are some spells and prayers in hieroglyphics from Chapter 6 of the Book of the Dead . Over the head , there is a black triple wig that leaves the ears sticking out . Most admired is the chromatic contrast made by outlining the eyes and eyebrows in black on the brown degree of the face , which intensifies the value of the figure . Hanging down from the neck is a broad , shoulder-to-shoulder necklace with multiple fine strings of high taste .
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