Scarab of a Priest of Hathor

Middle Kingdom

ca. 1850–1802 B.C.

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 109

Administrative changes during Dynasty 12 lead to an increase in bureaucracy and, subsequently, in the production and use of seals. This is reflected in the beginning of the mass production of scarabs, the most popular shape for amulets, in late Dynasty 12 through Dynasty 13 (ca. 1850-1640 B.C.). Thousands of these late Middle Kingdom scarabs bear the names and titles of officials, who would wear them as amulets, but who could also use them to seal documents, containers or doors. However, the scarabs’ primary function remained that of a protective amulet. Several inscriptions add a funerary epithet to the owner’s name, indicating that the amulet was manufactured after the owner had passed away.

This scarabs bears the name and title of a priest of the goddess Hathor. The inscription is surrounded by a scroll border.

Artwork Details

Overview

Translation

Provenance

Title: Scarab of a Priest of Hathor
Period: Middle Kingdom
Dynasty: late Dynasty 12
Date: ca. 1850–1802 B.C.
Geography: From Egypt, Memphite Region, Lisht North, cemetery south of the tomb of Senwosret (758), Pit 723, south chamber, MMA excavations, 1907–08
Medium: Green feldspar
Dimensions: L. 2.2 × W. 1.5 × H. 1 cm (7/8 × 9/16 × 3/8 in.)
Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1915
Object Number: 15.3.285
Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art

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