Takelot I¹

Unpublished biography².

Mummiform statuette featuring a rounded wig with curly locks, more typical of a living person, which conceal the ears³. The facial features are perfectly defined, with the eyebrows, eye contours, upturned nose, and mouth clearly distinguishable. The arms are crossed over the chest, left over right. The closed hands hold the handle of a whip and a staff, characteristic of the rank of overseer⁴. On the back, the end of the whip stands out over the right shoulder, and the rounded shape of the buttocks is visible. On the front, remains of the vertical frame that would have contained the king’s name and titles are still visible. Two horizontal cracks are also clearly perceptible, possibly a firing error in the piece.

This shabti was acquired at auction⁵ and, in the sales catalog, it appeared without a name or any explanation, being dated to the 29th Dynasty. The chronological error is evident, as the iconography of this piece bears no relation to specimens from that Late Period.

Bibliography prior to 1989 attributed this piece to King Takelot II. However, subsequent studies, particularly those carried out by Karl Jansen-Winkeln, corrected the conclusions of Aubert and Yoyotte, demonstrating that only Takelot I was buried at Tanis. Consequently, all shabtis from Tomb 1 (that of Osorkon II) must be attributed to this king and not to Takelot II.

Takelot I was the son of Osorkon I and the father of Osorkon II. Despite his reign lasting for 15 years (889–874 BC), few remains from his era have reached us.

Although no known hieroglyphic transcription is preserved for this specimen, based on similar pieces, an approximate reconstruction such as the following can be proposed:

Wsir nswt tkrT (mry) Imn: Osiris of King Takelot, beloved of Amun.

Takelot’s throne name was: Usermaatre-setepenre (“Powerful is the justice of Ra, chosen of Ra”)

Worker-type shabtis are also known for this figure, in mummiform shape, with a tripartite wig and carrying hoes in their hands. The overseer figures are much more spectacular.