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Funerary Figurine of Ramesses II

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

On View: 19th Dynasty to Roman Period, Martha A. and Robert S. Rubin Gallery, 3rd Floor

Ramesses II, one of Egypt's mightiest pharaohs, left countless monuments throughout the Nile Valley. Ironically, however, his tomb in the Valley of the Kings at Thebes has yielded few funerary figurines (known as shabtis, shawabtis, or ushebtis, depending on the spelling in the text on the particular example), having been plundered in Dynasty XX and not yet completely excavated. This is one of only three wooden examples known. Inscribed with Chapter 6 of the Book of the Dead, the text associated with funerary figurines, it resembles many fine statuettes from Deir el Medineh, the Theban home of the craftsmen who built and decorated the royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings.

MEDIUM Wood
  • Reportedly From: Deir el Bahri, Thebes, Egypt
  • DATES ca. 1292-1190 B.C.E.
    DYNASTY Dynasty 19
    PERIOD New Kingdom
    DIMENSIONS 12 1/2 x 3 7/16 in. (31.8 x 8.7 cm)  (show scale)
    ACCESSION NUMBER 08.480.5
    CREDIT LINE Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
    CAPTION Funerary Figurine of Ramesses II, ca. 1292-1190 B.C.E. Wood, 12 1/2 x 3 7/16 in. (31.8 x 8.7 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 08.480.5. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.08.480.5_wwg8.jpg)
    IMAGE installation, West Wing gallery 8 installation, CUR.08.480.5_wwg8.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2006
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    RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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