Scarab Incised with Nefer Sign in Scroll Border

Middle Kingdom
ca. 1760–1670 B.C.
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. Decorative scroll borders are very popular and enclose one or more hieroglyphs, which usually include the sign for good and beautiful (nefer).

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Scarab Incised with Nefer Sign in Scroll Border
  • Period: Middle Kingdom
  • Dynasty: mid Dynasty 13
  • Date: ca. 1760–1670 B.C.
  • Geography: From Egypt, Memphite Region, Lisht North, Cemetery, MMA excavations
  • Medium: Bright blue glazed steatite
  • Dimensions: L. 1.8 × W. 1.3 × H. 0.9 cm (11/16 × 1/2 × 3/8 in.)
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund and Edward S. Harkness Gift, 1920
  • Object Number: 20.1.29
  • Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art

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