Scarab Incised with Hieroglyphs and a Cruciform Design

Middle Kingdom

ca. 1760–1670 B.C.

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 109

The underside of the scarab is finely decorated with a cross design consisting of scrolls centered on convoluted coils. Coil designs are not often combined with cruciform patterns; this is a rare and elaborate example dating to the late Middle Kingdom (late Dynasty 12–Dynasty 13, ca. 1850–1640 B.C.). Hieroglyphs associated with positive ideas such as life and regeneration, namely lotus flowers, the papyrus stem, and the hieroglyph for good and beautiful (nefer), are placed between the scrolls.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Title: Scarab Incised with Hieroglyphs and a Cruciform Design
Period: Middle Kingdom
Dynasty: mid Dynasty 13
Date: ca. 1760–1670 B.C.
Geography: From Egypt, Memphite Region, Lisht North, Cemetery, debris, MMA excavations, 1920–22
Medium: Steatite, traces of green glaze
Dimensions: L. 1.5 × W. 1 × H. 0.7 cm (9/16 × 3/8 × 1/4 in.)
Credit Line: Rogers Fund and Edward S. Harkness Gift, 1922
Object Number: 22.1.457
Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art

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