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Ushabti, Egypt

Accession Number:

NEBYM:1936.105(dpl5)

Ushabti or shabti figure from the 22nd Dynasty. Ushabtis are statuettes made in human or mummy form. They were made for wealthy ancient Egyptians to be their workmen in the afterlife when they died. The Museum purchased a collection of ushabti figures from the British School of Archaeology in Egypt in 1920.

West Berkshire Museum holds objects that have been collected from around the world. These objects were largely compiled by Harold Peake, Honorary Curator of the Museum between 1909 and 1946, who was best known as an archaeologist and anthropologist. Peake travelled for his research and purchased objects to bring back, often focussing on his interests in India, Europe and the Middle East. He also purchased objects from other museums and dealers, and sold pieces from the ‘Newbury Museum’ in order to build a large collection of archaeology from around the world; a comparative historic world collection that would illustrate the history of civilisation. This is not how museums build and manage collections today, although it was common practice during Peake’s time.

The Museum also has donations and transfers of objects from other museums that have connections to Ancient Egypt and the tourist trade in Africa, America and Asia. The Museum also holds objects relating to military campaigns such as the Boer War, the Anglo-Ashanti Wars and the First and Second World Wars that can tell layered and meaningful histories of our colonial past.

Period: Pre-1936

Place: Egypt

Other items in the collection

Camera

Late 1920’s, early 1930’s camera made by an unnamed manufacture.

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