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Scarab Bracelet of Wah
Middle Kingdom
Dynasty 12
reign of Amenemhat I, early
ca. 1981–1975 B.C.
Egypt, Upper Egypt; Thebes, Tomb of Wah, Mummy, over crossed wrists, Southern Asasif, MMA 1920
Silver, gold, glazed steatite, linen cord
scarab: L. 1 1/2 in. (3.8 cm); w. 2.7 cm (1 1/16 in); h. 2.5 cm (1 in) barrel bead: L. 1.4 cm (9/16 in); diam. 1 cm (3/8 in) cylindrical bead: L. 1.9 cm (3/4 in); 0.8 cm (5/16 in) overall length: 43 cm (16 15/16 in) ***this measurement taken when scarab first came to Museum. Now cord is shorter.
Rogers Fund, 1940
40.3.12
All three of Wah's scarab and bead bracelets (40.3.12-.14) were found in wrappings over the wrists of Wah's mummy. This large silver scarab is of exceptionally fine workmanship. It was cast in several sections that were soldered together. Details on the legs, head, and wing cases and the scroll meander pattern on the base were chased. A gold suspension tube runs through the length of the scarab.

 

Inlaid hieroglyphs on the scarab's wing cases are of electrum, an alloy of gold and silver. Their light color renders them almost invisible unless the scarab is tarnished. The inscription on the left wing case identifies Wah as the estate manager of Meketre whose name appears on the right wing case.
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