Funery Figure

In Tutankhamun's time , funery figures resembling mummies but with the head and neck exposed, were known by the name "SHAWABTY" perhaps because of the wood from the persea tree, called in Egyptian "shawab". Their purpose was to act as substitues for their deceased owner, or to be his servant, when he was required to undertake agricultural work in the next world. The number buried with one person varied greatly; Tutankhamun had 413, in some tombs there were 401, one figure for each day of the year and thirty-six forement to control the groups of ten figures. This wooden figure, made in the likeness of Tutankhamun holding the crook & flail of Orsiris, was a funery gift from General Minnakht.