Scarab with Papyrus Motif

Middle Kingdom

ca. 1850–1640 B.C.

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 109

Plants are a popular theme on the underside of ancient Egyptian seal-amulets because they refer to life, renewal, and regeneration. They mainly consist of representations of papyrus plants, and lotus flowers and their buds.
This late Middle Kingdom scarab (late Dynasty 12–Dynasty 13, ca. 1850–1640 B.C.) shows two papyrus stems emerging from baskets (neb), each placed at opposite sides of the composition. Parallel lines connect the fanning, flowering end with the stem of the plant.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Title: Scarab with Papyrus Motif
Period: Middle Kingdom
Dynasty: late Dynasty 12–13
Date: ca. 1850–1640 B.C.
Geography: From Egypt, Memphite Region, Lisht North, Cemetery, debris, MMA excavations, 1920–22
Medium: Blue faience
Dimensions: L. 1.5 × W. 1 × H. 0.6 cm (9/16 × 3/8 × 1/4 in.)
Credit Line: Rogers Fund and Edward S. Harkness Gift, 1922
Object Number: 22.1.487
Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art

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