Egyptian myths claim that ushabtis are funerary figurines help do the work of the owner after they are deceased. An Egyptian prayer is made to the statue to bring it to life. Most shabti's are made of clay, some are wood carved. The power of dirt, or clay, was believed to have life-giving properties. Read about theory on life from clay.
Ushabtis (shabtis), like golem, are suppose to obey the orders of the owner. But these statuettes animate to specifically serve the soul of the deceased- whose name is carved into its chest along with the prayer to "carry the water" and "do the work" in the netherworld.
The earlier shabti may have planted the cultural seed for the later golem and teraphim legends.
Author: Harry M. Stewart
This book provides much information about the Egyptian shabtis, figurines created to act for the deceased in the afterlife. The author explains their manufacture in wood, stone, Egyptian faience and other materials; he also traces their evolution from the Middle Kingdom to the Ptolemaic Period. Inscriptions and spells are briefly discussed. This is a very useful reference for students, Egyptologists and art historians. Click image to see inside the book.
17th - 18th Dynasty Stick Shabtis in the Petrie Museum and Other Collections (Ghp Egyptology by Paul Whelan. This monograph represents the first comprehensive investigation of the characteristically crude wooden "stick" shabtis of the late 17th and early 18th Dynasties. Developed from a case study of examples in the Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology and building upon scholarship that has until now focussed almost exclusively on the importance of their inscriptions, the work offers new perspectives on stick shabtis and their role in the cultic milieu during a transitional period in ancient Egyptian history. Paperback: 160 pages. Publisher: Golden House Publications (May 30, 2007). Language: English
Ancient Egyptian Funerary Statuettes in European Private Collections
, by Glenn James. This large volume presents a catalogue of 115 shabtis, or funerary statuettes, held in private collections across Europe. The study stands out in particular for its high-quality lifesize colour photographs which illustrate the back and front of each shabti. The catalogue is arranged chronologically from the Middle Kingdom to the Ptolemaic period, includes transcriptions and translations of hieroglyphic inscriptions, descriptions of condition and provenance and a discussion of comparative examples and their location. The CD presents full colour images of the shabtis. Hardcover: 264 pages. Publisher: Cybele (December 31, 2002).
From Amazon.com, this collectible Statue Sculpture of the Egypt
Ushabti Figurine. This shabti figure the finest details and highest quality you will find anywhere! Made of resin and hand painted. Height: 9 inches. Length: 2.25 inches. Width: 2.25 inches. Crafted with Resin. Weight: 2.5 pounds.
These pages are excerpts from the book, Kabbalah's Secret Circles, by Robert Zucker. Read more sample chapters and download a free PDF sample compliments of the author.