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Shabti of Akhenaten

New Kingdom, Amarna Period
ca. 1353–1336 B.C.
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 122
Shabtis were intended to perform work that the deceased was called upon to do in the afterlife. More than two hundred shabti fragments inscribed for Akhenaten are known, and their existence suggests that belief in the afterlife and certain aspects of traditional funerary practices survived during the Amarna period. However, not surprisingly, Akhenaten's shabtis are inscribed only with the king's names and titles (see 47.57.2 or 66.99.106), not the standard shabti text (see 86.1.22).

Shawabtis for the king's burial were probably prepared throughout his reign and in different workshops, as they show considerable variability. His shabtis with his burial equipment were certainly stored in the Royal Tomb, whatever scenario is imagined around his death and burial.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Shabti of Akhenaten
  • Period: New Kingdom, Amarna Period
  • Dynasty: Dynasty 18
  • Reign: reign of Akhenaten
  • Date: ca. 1353–1336 B.C.
  • Geography: From Egypt; Probably from Middle Egypt, Amarna (Akhetaten)
  • Medium: Faience
  • Dimensions: H. 11 × W. 7.6 × D. 5.2 cm (4 5/16 × 3 × 2 1/16 in.)
  • Credit Line: Purchase, Fletcher Fund and The Guide Foundation Inc. Gift, 1966
  • Object Number: 66.99.37
  • Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art

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