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British Sign Language (BSL)

Blue faience shabti group

These brilliant blue figures are made from faience – a type of glazed ceramic. The colour blue was particularly associated with life and good health; and these little mummy-shaped figurines were part of a dead person’s burial equipment. They’re called shabtis; and they performed a very useful service for the dead person. The ancient Egyptians believed that you might have to carry out agricultural work after you were dead. But, if you used the right spell, your shabtis would magically do the work for you. That’s why shabtis often have agricultural tools crossed over their chests, ready to start work as soon as they’re called.

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