Scarab with Monkey on Gold Hieroglyph

Third Intermediate Period or later

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 130

On this scarab, a monkey walks on all four legs above the hieroglyph for gold. To the right is the sign for life, ankh. In ancient Egyptian, the motif of the monkey could be used to convey the sound nefer, which means good or beautiful. The combination of signs and motifs on the base of this scarab may thus express a wish to secure good conditions in life.

Scarab with Monkey on Gold Hieroglyph, Faience

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