ushabti (funerary sculpture)

ushabti (funerary sculpture) , 1539–30 BCE, possibly 1800s

Where object was made: Egypt

Material/technique: faience

Credit line: William Bridges Thayer Memorial

Accession number: 1928.7019

Not on display

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This figurine was probably acquired by Sallie Casey Thayer during her trip to Egypt in February 1914 as a souvenir or as an ancient tomb figure. Thayer’s collection includes both ancient artifacts and contemporary works. During the late 19th and early-20th centuries, it was fashionable among wealthy Europeans and Americans to acquire objects either from or inspired by ancient Egypt for their collections and as home decoration. Small, glazed shabti statuettes, like this one, flourished in the art, archaeological and tourist markets. Contemporary artists continue to engage with the popular appeal of these works.

Do you acquire souvenirs from trips or the places that interest you? Are they new objects or older objects? What about these objects interests you?

If you made a contemporary shabti, how would you design it?

What characteristics or decorations would be indicative of the 21st century and how might these decorations connect to the ancient past?

Civic Leader and Art Collector: Sallie Casey Thayer and an Art Museum for KU

Probably acquired by Sallie Casey Thayer during her trip to Egypt in February 1914, one could wonder if she purchased this Osiris figurine as a modern tourist souvenir or an ancient tomb artifact. Thayer’s collection includes both historic artifacts as well as works of more contemporary production. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, it was fashionable among wealthy Europeans and Americans to acquire ancient objects taken from Egypt or made to resemble ancient versions as home decoration. Small, glazed shabti statuettes like this one proliferated on the art, archaeological, and tourism markets. Today, contemporary artists continue to engage with the popular appeal of these works while speaking to current contexts.

Tap the Web icon above and click on the link to see the contemporary Nu’Shabti interventions of Syrian archaeologist and ceramic artist Zahed Taj-Eddin at the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Tap the Web icon above and click on the link to see the ancient Shabti of Seti from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.