Scarab with Inscription Referring to Osiris

New Kingdom

1295–1070 B.C.

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 127

This scarab from Lisht is inscribed with a variation on a religious epithet that is commonly associated with deities, such as the falcon god Horus, or with the king, as living manifestation of Horus. The inscription in hieroglyphs mentions him guarding the throne of his father, the god Osiris. Given the limited surface on scarab bases, seal carvers were often very creative in using as few hieroglyphs and signs as possible in order to convey their message. The god Osiris is here alluded to by the sign of a royal cartouche that does not contain hieroglyphs that would normally encircle the name of a king. An empty cartouche can represent the name Wenennefer (meaning: he who is in everlastingly good condition), which most commonly invokes Osiris. This amulet thus calls upon protection by Osiris’ son. Scarabs bearing similar inscriptions date to the Third Intermediate Period (ca. 1295–664 B.C.).

Artwork Details

Overview

Translation

Provenance

Title: Scarab with Inscription Referring to Osiris
Period: New Kingdom
Dynasty: Dynasty 19–20 (Ramesside)
Date: 1295–1070 B.C.
Geography: From Egypt, Memphite Region, Lisht North, debris, MMA excavations, 1920–22
Medium: Light greenish stone
Dimensions: L. 1.9 × W. 1.3 × H. 1.1 cm (3/4 × 1/2 × 7/16 in.)
Credit Line: Rogers Fund and Edward S. Harkness Gift, 1922
Object Number: 22.1.333
Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art

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