Scarab Incised with Hieroglyphs and Geometric Motif

Middle Kingdom

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 109

Some Middle Kingdom scarabs show a decorative oval motif, often accompanied by hieroglyphs. On this late Middle Kingdom scarab from Lisht, the hieroglyph for good and beautiful (nefer) is placed on either side of it. The meaning of the oval motif remains unclear, but the signs and symbols with which it is associated on seal-amulets have a positive and protective nature.

Scarab Incised with Hieroglyphs and Geometric Motif, Blue faience

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Scarab Incised with Hieroglyphs and Geometric Motif, Blue faience
Scarab Incised with Hieroglyphs and Geometric Motif, Blue faience
Scarab Incised with Hieroglyphs and Geometric Motif, Blue faience
Scarab Incised with Hieroglyphs and Geometric Motif, Blue faience

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