Ushabti of Yuya, Grandfather of Akhenaten
New Kingdom, 18th Dynasty, Reign of Amenhotep III (c. 1390–1352 B.C.)

Discovered in the Tomb of Yuya and Thuya (KV46) in the Valley of the Kings, this finely crafted ushabti belonged to Yuya, the powerful courtier and grandfather of Pharaoh Akhenaten.

The Ushabti of Yuya is a remarkable funerary figurine belonging to Yuya, a prominent nobleman of the 18th Dynasty in ancient Egypt, who was also the father-in-law of Pharaoh Amenhotep III. Dating to around 1390–1352 BCE, this ushabti was crafted from painted wood and carefully inscribed with hieroglyphs, reflecting Yuya’s high status and the importance of the afterlife in Egyptian belief.

Ushabtis, like this one, were intended to serve the deceased in the afterlife, performing agricultural or other labor on their behalf. The figure of Yuya is depicted in a mummiform posture, holding farming tools, and the hieroglyphic texts often include spells from the Book of the Dead to ensure his eternal service.

This ushabti exemplifies the exquisite craftsmanship and attention to detail characteristic of the New Kingdom, highlighting both Yuya’s wealth and the religious practices surrounding death and immortality in ancient Egypt.