Scarab with Inscription Related to Ptah
The hieroglyphs on this late Middle Kingdom scarab form an inscription saying that Ptah is satisfied, Ptah-hotep. Ptahhotep was a common personal name during the Middle Kingdom, but the inscription is here more likely meant as a blessing related to the god Ptah. On either side of the inscription are decorative papyrus plants with one straight and one drooping stem.
Based on the characteristics of its back and sides, this scarab was manufactured at a workshop active during mid to late Dynasty 13 (ca. 1750-1640 B.C.). It was probably located at a site that is now known as Tell el-Dab’a, in the eastern Nile Delta.
Based on the characteristics of its back and sides, this scarab was manufactured at a workshop active during mid to late Dynasty 13 (ca. 1750-1640 B.C.). It was probably located at a site that is now known as Tell el-Dab’a, in the eastern Nile Delta.
Artwork Details
- Title: Scarab with Inscription Related to Ptah
- Period: Middle Kingdom
- Dynasty: mid to late Dynasty 13
- Date: ca. 1740–1640 B.C.
- Geography: From Egypt
- Medium: Glazed steatite
- Dimensions: L. 2.1 × W. 1.4 cm (13/16 × 9/16 in.)
- Credit Line: Gift of Helen Miller Gould, 1910
- Object Number: 10.130.407
- Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
ca. 1479–1458 B.C.
ca. 1525–1504 B.C.
ca. 1390–1352 B.C.
ca. 1878–1840 B.C.
ca. 1336–1323 B.C.
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please contact us using the form below. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.