Description
Name owner: Hornakht
Title owner: The Osiris, high priest of Amun-Ra, King of the Gods, prince
Dimensions (hxwxd): 15.0 x 5.0 x 3.5 cm
Translation hieroglyphs: The Osiris, the High Priest of Amun-Ra, King of the Gods, Hor-Nakht true of voice
Preservation: Intact, faience worn and turned to green and brown in places
R-R: 249.10
Provenance: Ex. Explorer Ancient Art, ex New York auction, ex New York estate.
Comments: Prince Hor-Nakht was a son of Pharao Osorkon II, who ruled Egypt from Tanis in the 22nd Dynasty. Osorkon II tried to controle the entire country so he appointed his son Hor-Nakht as High Priest of Amun of Thebes. Unfortunately, Hor-Nakht died allready at the age of nine. He was burried in the same tomb as his father (Hor-Nakht was placed in the Third Chamber. Circa 365 shabtis were originally found by Montet. Around 160 pieces are supposed to be in private collections and or museums outside of Cairo, allthough some sources claim only 22 in European collections. Shabticollections.com premiers the publication of the shabti of this prince in colour from all sides.
The shabti gangs consist of two series of workers, similar in length, but different in width (Leiden example is of the wider type). The example here published is of the slim version. The facial expression is very recognisable and the level of detail is uncommon for the period. The overseers are even more extreme in detail and difference and are quite rare. They colour was originally blue but turned green and brown as so often with shabtis from this (moistured) area.
Parallels can be found in the museums of Cairo (165 workers and 10 overseers), Stockholm (one worker) and Leiden (worker, Schneider 4.3.0.11). Private examples (overseer and slim worker) are published in Aubert 1974 plate 46. At least two workers and one overseer in a private collection are known to me (unpublished).
