\paperw4260 \margr0\margl0 \plain \fs20 \f1 Numerous statuettes like this have been found in Egyptian tombs.\par
Made out of painted wood, it represents a mummy wrapped in banda
ges and covered with inscriptions, with the usual accessories of the high-ranking dead: a wig and neckband.\par
The hands crossed on the chest hold amulets or objects used in daily life: in this case, the figure is holding two small hoes.\par
These sta
tuettes are called funerary servants, or \i ushabti\i0 . They were supposed to take the dead manÆs place in the labor that he had to carry out in the other world in order to win rebirth. Thus they were placed in tombs to act as slaves for their owner.
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The \i ushabti\i0 were placed in special caskets, decorated with funeral scenes.\par
This one, which is inscribed with the name Kabekhent, shows a couple inside a shrine during the funeral banquet. The male figure, who probably represents the dead m
an himself, is sniffing a lotus flower. It was believed that the scent of the lotus brought life and ensured rebirth.\par