Worker Shabti of Henettawy (C), Daughter of Isetemkheb

Art Historical Context

This delicate faience shabti, or "worker figure," belonged to Henettawy (C), a high-ranking noblewoman and daughter of Isetemkheb during Egypt's Third Intermediate Period (asty 21, ca.990–970 B.C Standing just 11.8 cm tall, it embodies the ancient Egyptian belief in the afterlife, where shabtis served as magical servants. Inscribed with spells from the Book of the Dead, theseines were activated by chants to perform laborious tasks for their owner in the realm of Osiris, freeing the deceased for eternal leisure. Crafted from faience—a glazed composite of quartz, lime, and clay fired to a vibrant turquoise hue—this shabti exemplifies a favored medium in Late Period Egypt. The brilliant blue-green color evoked lapis lazuli and the fertile Nile, symbolizing rebirth and divine protection. Produced in molds for efficiency, such figures filled tombs by the hundreds, reflecting the era's elaborate funerary customs amid political fragmentation between northern and southern rulers. Acquired through the Rogers Fund in 1925, this piece from the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Egyptian collection offers a glimpse into the piety and artistry of Theban elites, highlighting how everyday materials were transformed into eternal companions.