What is a shabti, ushebti or ushabti ?

Shabtis are statuettes in human form or mummy form, generally measuring between 10 and 25 cm. The term shabti is used for statuettes made before 970 BC, while ushebti or ushabti refers to statuettes made in a later period. The literature generally refers to ‘shabtis’. Their task was to relieve their owner of any form of labour, such as farming in the Hereafter

For a dazzling two-thousand years, prosperous Egyptians took shabtis with them in their tombs. Firstly, as possible replacement for the mummies in case they should decay or perish, and secondly as servants or slaves to serve them in the afterlife

After Napoleon’s expedition at the beginning of the 19th century, Egypt became popular among archaeologists, scientists, art dealers and tourists. As a result of this, many archaeological objects such as shabtis can be found in museums, at art dealers or in private collections.

Pharaoh Seti I. One of the most impressive faience shabtis of faience, lower legs and feet included 30 cm high, 19th Dynasty, 1279 BC
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York,
Acc. number: 26.7.919
Photo: VB

Special discoveries

A scene in Sennefer’s tomb TT96 shows two shabtis on a tray being brought before the owner