1920.219.2

Ancient Egyptian pottery shabti, painted green with black over-painting. This figure is carrying a hoe in each hand and has a small bag hanging on its back. 1300 - 700 B.C. Ancient Egyptians believed that they would have to do farming work during their afterlife, so a 'shabti', a small figurine often holding an agricultural tool, was placed in the tomb. The shabti represented a servant who would magically come to life and work for their master, so he or she could relax.