Scarab with ichneumon (mongoose)

Third Intermediate Period

ca. 733–664 B.C.

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 130

The ichneumon or Egyptian mongoose does not often figure on the underside of seal-amulets. However, in the Third Intermediate Period (ca. 1070-664 B.C.), the ichneumon appears in combination with a sun disk and an ostrich feather, or with the pillar that is the symbol of the city of Iwnw, better known by its Greek name, Heliopolis. The ichneumon was indeed considered by the ancient Egyptians to be the animal of the sun god Atum, the creator god whose main cult center was at Heliopolis.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Title: Scarab with ichneumon (mongoose)
Period: Third Intermediate Period
Dynasty: Dynasty 25 (Kushite)
Date: ca. 733–664 B.C.
Geography: From Egypt
Medium: Steatite
Dimensions: L. 1.4 × W. 1 × H. 0.6 cm (9/16 × 3/8 × 1/4 in.)
Credit Line: Purchase, Edward S. Harkness Gift, 1926
Object Number: 26.7.404
Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art

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