Shabtis

Third Intermediate Period

By the Third Intermediate Period (1069-525 BC) numbers of shabtis increased dramatically although they became smaller in size. The figures wearing the dress of daily life during the 19th and 20th Dynasties evolved by the 21st Dynasty into ‘overseer’ figures. Although still wearing a short-sleeved tunic, kilt and triangular apron, these are distinguished by carrying whips in their hands (1). Each ‘overseer’ was supposed to supervise ten mummiform ‘worker’ shabtis. The appearance of the whip perhaps suggests that the shabtis figures were now being considered as slaves or servants rather than deputies. The prescribed number of figures was 401 comprising one shabti for every day of the year and 36 ‘overseer’ figures, one for every 10 workers. Usually made of blue glazed faience, they were rather crudely made in open moulds, and the sides and back were usually trimmed flat.

Two notable additions to the appearance of shabtis during this period were the seshed head-band during the reign of Theban High-Priest Masaharta (2) which was regarded as an aid to resurrection, and the modelling of breasts on female worker shabtis (3). Again these elements were copied from coffins of the period.

The inscriptions on shabtis of the Third Intermediate Period are usually very brief, only giving the Osiris-name and title of the deceased. The figures were still placed in shabti boxes although these were usually more simple in design and devoid of the sometimes lavish decorations of the New Kingdom.