Scarab Inscribed with Hieroglyphs

Middle Kingdom

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 109

The majority of design scarabs of the late Middle Kingdom (late Dynasty 12–Dynasty 13, ca. 1850–1640 B.C.) are decorated with symmetric compositions of hieroglyphs and/or scrolls. These signs are not meant to form words but are chosen for their positive, protective meaning.
This scarab is inscribed with a pair of wedjat-eyes, the sign of life (ankh), the sign for good and beautiful (nefer), and the djed-pillar.

Scarab Inscribed with Hieroglyphs, Glazed steatite

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Scarab Inscribed with Hieroglyphs, Glazed steatite
Scarab Inscribed with Hieroglyphs, Glazed steatite
Scarab Inscribed with Hieroglyphs, Glazed steatite
Scarab Inscribed with Hieroglyphs, Glazed steatite

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