Scarab Decorated with Papyrus and Winged Beetles

New Kingdom

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 109

The underside of this New Kingdom scarab shows a pair of beetles with outstretched wings. Flowering papyrus plants are placed between them. While the sacred scarab frequently occurs on Egyptian seal-amulets as a sign (for example in several royal names) or as a symbol, it does not represent the scarab god Khepri. The Egyptian dung beetle symbolizes creation and rebirth, which is emphasized here by the presence of plants as a reference to growth and fecundity. The prominent wings moreover accentuate the protective power of the scarab beetle, because enfolding wings are a common protective motif in Egyptian art.

Scarab Decorated with Papyrus and Winged Beetles, Blue glazed steatite

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Scarab Decorated with Papyrus and Winged Beetles, Blue glazed steatite
Scarab Decorated with Papyrus and Winged Beetles, Blue glazed steatite
Scarab Decorated with Papyrus and Winged Beetles, Blue glazed steatite
Scarab Decorated with Papyrus and Winged Beetles, Blue glazed steatite

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