Acc. no. 9325. Photo by Paul Cliff
Most Egyptologists are not superstitious people. When I first noticed that one of our Middle Kingdom statuettes (Acc. no. 9325) had been turned around 180 degrees to face the back of its case in our new Ancient Worlds galleries, I wondered who had changed the object’s position this without telling me. The Egyptians themselves would have appreciated the concern to make visible for passers-by the text on its back pillar – a prayer for offerings for the deceased. Yet the next time I looked into the case, the statue was facing in another direction – and a day later had yet another orientation. None of the other objects in the display had moved. The case was locked. And I have the only key.
The statuette had always intrigued me. It entered the Manchester collection in 1933, as part of a donation of five objects from Miss Annie Barlow of Bolton – three of which at one time were considered to be modern forgeries.
The inscription on the back pillar reads: “An offering which the king gives to Osiris, Lord of Life, that he may give a voice offering, consisting of bread, beer, oxen and fowl for the Ka-spirit of’. As is known for other statues of this date and type, the man’s name – Nebsenu(?) - is inscribed on the front of the statue’s base. He bears what Alan Gardiner called as “obscure” title: Hry (n) tm. The distribution of the inscriptions suggests that the statuette was prefabricated with the standard offering formula on the back pillar and that the man’s name was added later to the base.
Logical attempts to explain the statues movement centre on the subtle vibrations caused by outside traffic, causing imperceptible movement. Lill, a colleague on the visitor services staff, suggested that perhaps the man wanted us to say the prayer for him – yet when this text is visible his name is impossible to read. What is very strange is that the statue has spun in a perfect circle – it hasn’t wobbled off in any particular direction. The intriguing suggestion that the statuette was carved of steatite and then fired may imply that it it now vulnerable to magnetic forces. But is so, why did it not move on its glass shelf in pretty much the same position in the old Egyptian Afterlife gallery?
I lied – others do have a key to the case, and it is just possible that someone is playing a trick. But I doubt it.
The simplest solution seems to be to apply a tiny amount of museum wax to the base to stop the movement. But what if the statue continued to keep moving? What would our explanation be then..?
Get some one to sit and watch it scary !!!! Chris
I think Nebsenu is playing tricks on you
Try asking it – seriously. Tell it you have read the prayer, ask if that’s what it wanted, and ask it to keep still if it’s happy now. You never know….
[...] The mystery of the spinning statuette. [...]
make an offering to its Ba! maybe it just wants a drink and a bit of bread and a prayer
Yes, I agree, that making a nice offering to its Ba may just do the trick!
I remember seeing it the first time (it had its back to me at the time) and thinking it was a lovely new way to display a statuette.
And not long after that seeing your surprise when someone mentioned it.
One of my colleagues suggested that you put a camera nearby to monitor it constantly. And he also believes that vibrations can still be the key to this mystery. Even though there are other items on that shelf and they don’t seem to move, it might have to do with resonance.
Is it’s base perhaps a little convex?
That’s one thirsty statue
Someone is spinning it (which you claim not to believe is the case, which I find very hard to believe as this seems just to be an excuse for a silly blog post), or else you have a very cavalier and irresponsible attitude toward the security of your museum objects. If the vibration in your galleries is that great that a statue is making rounds like that, you should be doing something about it, rather than writing about it.
sense of humour failure.
Also, it’s clearly a socially awkward statute. It doesn’t like large crowds.
What a merry soul you are!
I would honor the request, have a general feast and then tell everyone (living and dead) to knock it off.
Check the base for level and square… sounds like in is curved with high point roughly in center of base. No curved much, but enough to pivot … vibration would then do the trick.
I’m going with Mr. Surrena on this one. Perhaps make it a fund-raiser for the collection!
How perculiar.Perhaps he is trying to show you something that you are missing in the text ,to make his point heard
How about leaving a video camera on it for 24 hours?
Vibrate the cabinet – will leave it to your own creative imaginations to find an appropriate object for that a job and see if it moves (convex base etc.) then you have a scientific explanation. Perhaps passers by or vacuum cleaners etc are enough to set off the vibration. If not you have a real visitor attraction. The Catholic Church can teach you a few things about the marketing impact of moving relics.
Why can’t I like a comment? This made me laugh very much!
There can’t possibly be a rational explanation for this. It’s a portent, speaking of dread things to come. Soon the mummies will awaken from their long slumber and begin to groan and stir! Perhaps we could find a way to appease the statue – nubile virgins, perhaps, dancing in naked frenzy round the gallery once a week? Be a great draw for the public.
I am a member of staff at Museum. For those who need a logical answer the base to me appears not flat. However I believe I have seen and heard things that are open to debate. I accept the movement of this object whether it can be explained or not. I forget where this quote comes from but it supports belief well. ” For those who believe no explanation is necessary, for those who do not no explanation will suffice.”
Pink Shoes
You say three of Ms. Barlow’s objects were considered forgeries “at one time”…what were they and how has opinion changed?
Ahh yes, it wants biscuits with roast beef and gravy… and a Guinness.
Is it possible that the statue is made of a metallic or magnetized substance, Yes put a camera on it and check the area for natural magnetism, Be blessed
Hotep!!!!!!