Scarab with Hieroglyphs and Recumbent Donkey

Second Intermediate Period

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 109

The underside of this Canaanite Middle Bronze Age scarab is decorated with the representation of recumbent quadruped, which can be identified as a wild ass or donkey based on its long ears and equid-like muzzle. Above and behind the animal are the hieroglyphs for good (nefer) and unification (sema). While the donkey was one of the most important animals of burden in ancient Egypt, in the Levant, the donkey was commonly ridden too.

Scarab with Hieroglyphs and Recumbent Donkey, Green glazed steatite

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Scarab with Hieroglyphs and Recumbent Donkey, Green glazed steatite
Scarab with Hieroglyphs and Recumbent Donkey, Green glazed steatite
Scarab with Hieroglyphs and Recumbent Donkey, Green glazed steatite
Scarab with Hieroglyphs and Recumbent Donkey, Green glazed steatite

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