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 protective hieroglyphs and/or scrolls. This scarab shows the sign for good and beautiful (nefer) and a sun disk placed inside an oval, which is a debased version of the royal cartouche. The combination of signs possibly forms an inscription referring to the sun god Re. The oval is surrounded by symmetrically arranged hieroglyphs such as the sign of life (ankh), the djed-pillar (stability), and the ostrich feather (maat), adding to the protective nature of the amulet.

Scarab Inscribed with Hieroglyphs, Steatite, traces of green glaze

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Scarab Inscribed with Hieroglyphs, Steatite, traces of green glaze
Scarab Inscribed with Hieroglyphs, Steatite, traces of green glaze
Scarab Inscribed with Hieroglyphs, Steatite, traces of green glaze
Scarab Inscribed with Hieroglyphs, Steatite, traces of green glaze

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