The Metropolitan Museum of Art - Scarab Bracelet of Wah

Scarab Bracelet of Wah

Period:: Middle Kingdom
Dynasty:: Dynasty 12
Reign:: reign of Amenemhat I, early
Date:: ca. 1981–1975 B.C.
Geography:: Country of Origin Egypt, Upper Egypt; Thebes, Southern Asasif, Tomb of Wah (MMA 1107), Mummy, over crossed wrists, MMA 1920
Medium:: Silver, gold, glazed steatite, linen cord
Dimensions:: L. 2.7cm (1 1/16 in) x H. 1.2 cm (1/2 in) x H. 1.9 cm (3/4 in.)
Credit Line:: Rogers Fund and Edward S. Harkness Gift, 1940
Accession Number:: 40.3.13

This artwork is not on display

Description

This silver scarab was manufactured in the same fashion as Wah's larger example (40.3.12). On its base are interlocking spirals and three hieroglyphs. Before burial, the heads of both scarabs were intentionally damaged by forceful scratching, possibly an instance of magical "killing."
Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Inscription: anx, kA, nfr
Provenance

Mummy of Wah excavated by the Egyptian Expedition of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1920. Acquired by the Museum in the division of finds, 1920. Mummy unwrapped in New York, 1940.
See also
What
Metal (59,497)

Costume (43,523)

Sculpture (24,340)

Silver (14,047)

Gold (12,361)

Linen (7,675)

Jewelry (7,507)

Scarabs (3,372)

Glazing (3,103)

Talc (2,067)

Steatite (2,057)

Bracelets (1,129)

Cord (467)
Where
Africa (33,432)

Egypt (29,755)

Upper Egypt (13,459)

Thebes (10,403)
When
2000-1000 B.C. (18,623)
In the Museum
Egyptian Art (26,115)
Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History
Egypt, 2000–1000 B.C.
MetPublications
Search for related Met publications