Les statuettes funeraires de la Deuxieme Cachette a Deir el-Bahri

Name: Les statuettes funeraires de la Deuxieme Cachette a Deir el-Bahari
Author: Liliane Aubert
First published: 1998, Cybele
Amount of pages: 128
ISBN: 9-9512092-0-7
Average price: EUR 40
Availability: Good
Language: French

Content: Description of shabtis of Cache 2

Review:

This is another publication of the Aubert family. This publication is now specifically dealing with the shabtis of Cache 2 (also known as the Bab-el Gusus tomb), of which they already wrote in several of their previous publications (for example: 1981, Nouvelles observations sur les chaouabtis de Deir el Bahari et autres de la 21e dynasty, CdE 56, p. 15-30).

I like this book a lot since it is the only shabti book dealing exclusively with my favourite, Cache 2, shabtis (51 different shabtis).

The book contains good reference material. A translation of the glyphs is also provided (unfortunately not a transliteration in the description, although a transliteration of the titles is provided in an index at the end of the book).

The pictures are mainly in black & white and not of the highest quality, but the book cover is full colour as well as 18 shabtis pictured in full colour on plates within the book, which is great.

Conclusion

The book is not expensive and still available so highly recommended to specific Cache 2 shabti interested and still recommended to other shabti interested for its perfect specific information. Its not recommended for the average individual interested in ancient Egypt in general.

Statuettes Egyptiennes

Name: Statuettes Egyptiennes, chaouabtis, ouchebtis
Author: Aubert, J.F. and Aubert, Liliane
First published: 1974, Paris Librairie d’Amérique et d’Orient
Amount of pages: 300
ISBN: unknown
Average price: EUR 300 to EUR 500
Availability: Extremely rare
Language: French

Content: General description of shabtis.

Review:

This is the first major publication of the Aubert family and remains the best one. Unfortunately, the book is extremely rare to find. The books gives one of the first concessive general description of shabtis. Furthermore, it provides a good overview of the important shabtis known till that date (1974). 

The black & white photo section is nice and provides a good overview for dating of shabtis. 

Conclusion

Even though the book is in French, its very important to all shabti-interested. Highly recommendable and really a must have! Good hunting…..

Estatuetas Funerarias Egipcias da XXI Dinastia

Name: Estatuetas Funerarias Egipcias da XXI Dinastia
Author: Luis Manuel de Araujo
First published: 2003, Dinalivro
Amount of pages: 1115
ISBN: 9-782951-209206
Average price: EUR 50 – 100
Availability: Unknown, limited to 1000 copies but probably soon second edition 
Language: Portugese 

Content: Overview of all Portugese TIP shabtis in museums and references to all TIP shabtis known.

Review:

This book is a publication of a Portugese doctoral thesis. It’s huge with over 1100 pages. Its size and thickness reminds of a telephone book. 

When it first arrived I was a bit disappointed, expecting over 1100 pages of shabti pictures, but it contained “only” some 200 pages of specific shabti pictures with description. Now, after one years time, I finally fully appreciate the book for what it is, one of the best shabti Third Intermediate Period reference books!

Every TIP shabti known is described in the book with references to museums worldwide.
Another great thing is that the book contains full colour pictures of the Portugese shabtis (back and front) at high quality.

Conclusion

It’s the best reference book for TIP shabtis and thus a must have for shabti collectors. Its not intended for the general ancient Egypt interested.

CAA Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien

Name: Corpus Antiquitatum Aegyptiacarum Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien 
Author: Reiser-Haslauer, Elfriede 
First published: 1990, Philipp von Zabern 
Amount of pages: 157 (part 5) and 147 (part 8) 
ISBN: 3-8053-1155-9 (part 5) ISBN 3-8053-1290-3 (part 8) 
Average price: around EUR 100 
Availability: Rare 
Language: German 

Content: Shabtis in Vienna, Austria Museum up to and including TIP

Review:

The CAA series is an early attempt to fully document all items in a specific area from museum collections. It started in the 1980’s and lasted till the mid 1990’s. Then funds ran up and it is my understanding that unfortunately the project will not be finished.

This CAA deals with the New Kingdom (part 5) and Third Intermediate (part 8) of the shabtis of Vienna. The CAA items are always well described and this volume is no exception. The photo’s are, as always in this series, B&W. However, as a bonus some pages where later added in colour.

The CAA is a loose leaflet series, which I thoroughly dislike. Its very unhandy to tumble through the pages. My suggestion would be to buy something where you can add the loose pages in. 

Conclusion

CAA’s are a must have for die-hard shabti collectors. Its a wealth of information and good documented. Due to the B&W photo’s and the loose page it is rated with only 4 shabtis. Otherwise 5 would be deserved! 
Not recommendable to the average Egypt enthusiastic.

Funerary Statuettes, Oslo

Name: Funery statuettes
Author: Naguib, Saphinaz-Amal
First published: 1985, Phillipp van Zabern, Mainz am Rhein
Amount of pages: 132
ISBN: 3-8053-0816-7 
Average price: EUR 50 – EUR 100
Availability: Rare
Language: English

Content: Shabtis in the Etnografik Museum Oslo from all periods

Review:

This edition of the Corpus Antiquitatum Aegyptiacarum focuses on the shabtis in the Oslo museum. It’s a nice overview of shabtis from all periods (which can not be said from all CAA series. A lot of Cache 2 shabtis are represented in this catalogue, making it extra interesting for the Cache 2 lovers (me!).

The pictures are all B&W unfortunately and I dislike the loose-leaf character. 

The book is in the English language, which is welcome to most collectors.

Conclusion

A recommendable shabti-book, like all CAA’s on shabtis, especially for shabticollectors and shabtilovers. Not of interest for the general reader of Ancient Egypt.