Egyptian Museum, Cairo. 26th Dynasty 600 B.C.

The Ushabti is a figurine, usually mummiform, which was placed in
the tomb to carry out the necessary work in the next world which the
deceased might be called upon to do. Ushabtis were also used to
answer in the name of the deceased for the possible actions that
they had done while alive-that is the origin of the name, Ushabti,
“the one that answers”. Whenever the deceased was called in the next
world to sow the fields, carry sand, etc, the Ushabti was supposed
to reply, "Here am I'. The best examples like the one represented
here were inscribed with a version of the sixth chapter, the Ushabti
chapter of the Book of the Dead. It was believed that the recitation
of the text could make the figure come alive to carry out the
obligations asked for in the other world to the deceased. Here the
Ushabti holds a pickaxe and an adze.

Product SKU: E-015SM