Shabti
Egyptian Art
Place of production | Egypt |
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Date | 6th-4th centuries B.C. |
Object type | amulet |
Medium, technique | Egyptian faience |
Dimensions | 3.7 x 1.3 x 0.87 cm (1 7/16 x 1/2 x 5/16 in.) |
Inventory number | 87.13-E |
Collection | Egyptian Art |
On view | Museum of Fine Arts, Basement Floor, Ancient Egypt, Daily life |
Amulets, produced from various materials constitute one of the most characteristic groups of the Egyptian material culture, which can be found in almost all of the contexts and periods of Ancient Egypt. Amulets are generally small objects, which according to their form, size and colour had the power to provide magical protection for their users in everyday life, and in addition were used as tomb equipment for the netherworld.
The djed-pillar as a hieroglyphic sign and a characteristic cult object of Sokaris, and later of Ptah, is regarded as the symbol of stability. From as early as the Eighteenth Dynasty, it was acknowledged as the symbol of Osiris, representing his backbone, and it became a prominent funerary amulet type. The details of the finely decorated faience djed-amulet attest to it having been made in the Late Period.
This record is subject to revision due to ongoing research.