As part of my βUshabti Friendsβ series, I am teaching you how to look at the different characteristics of ushabtis π ±πππππΎ and how those characteristics can help you to narrow down the age/time period that the ushabti π ±πππππΎ is from! Today we are going to look at Royal 18th Dynasty Ushabtis!
All of the ushabtis π ±πππππΎ we are going to look at today ππππ³ are royal ushabtis π ±πππππΎ that all belonged to pharaohs ππ»π¦ from the 18th Dynasty! The 18th Dynasty is almost the βgolden ageβ of ushabtis π ±πππππΎ because these little guys undergo much development during this time period and have so many different characteristics!Β
The wooden ushabti π ±πππππΎ of Amenhotep III π³π§π is very interesting because it has a very distinct characteristic of 18th Dynasty ushabtis π ±πππππΎ that is not just one found on royal ushabtis π ±πππππΎ!
There is a space in the hands where tools would have been inserted – such as a hoe πΈ. Tools that were attached separately were only found in the 18th Dynasty!
The βShabti Spellβ is also on the ushabti π ±πππππΎ!Β
The rock based ushabtis π ±πππππΎ of Amenhotep II ππ ππ΅ππͺ and Akhenaten ππππ³π ππ are all seen holding Ankh symbols in their hands which are crossed over their chest in a mummiform fashion.
I have only seen royal ushabtis π ±πππππΎ with Ankhs πΉ! I find this to be commentary on the religion because a deceased pharaoh ππ» would not have to be doing work anyway – he probably was buried with ushabtis π ±πππππΎ just in case! This is probably why some of the royal ushabtis π ±πππππΎ have Ankhs πΉ and not tools!Β
These ushabtis π ±πππππΎ also have false beards and are wearing some type of royal crown to distinguish that they are pharaohs ππ»π¦!
This is my personal photograph and original text. DO NOT repost.
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