Ushabti of King Senkamanisken

Artist Unidentified artist

CultureSudanese

Datec. 643-623 BCE

Mediumsteatite

Dimensions6 7/8 × 1 1/4 in. (17.5 × 3.2 cm)

Classificationssculpture

Credit LineAckland Fund

Object number62.19.4

DescriptionThe ushabti shows a bearded male in mummified form. He wears the royal nemes headdress adorned with a double uraeus.
Six rows of hieroglyphs extend from waist to ankles, curving around to the back, leaving a gap of about 1 cm. The ushabti’s hands emerge from the body, holding a crook and flail. The hands are crossed opposite, the arms not indicated.The face is carefully sculpted with distinctive hairline, eyes, nose, ears, and beard; the nose and mouth are full. The back is smooth, but less detailed. Two sets of numbers appear on the base.
This ushabti bears the royal cartouche of the Kushite king Senkamanisken, the grandson of King Taharqo, who ruled Kush from 643 to 623 BCE. Senkamanisken was buried at Nuri, the royal cemetery upstream from Napata, the capital of the kingdom near the Fourth Cataract.

Intact; small scratches on back of head. White discoloration
on right and back, obscuring some hieroglyphs; otherwise
good condition. Steatite: black and brown, polished.

On View

Not on view

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