Scarab Inscribed with Hieroglyphs

Middle Kingdom

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 109

The majority of design scarabs of the late Middle Kingdom (late Dynasty 12–Dynasty 13, ca. 1850 –1640 B.C.) are decorated with symmetric compositions of hieroglyphs and/or scrolls. These signs are not meant to form words but are chosen for their positive, protective meaning. This scarab shows the hieroglyph for gold (nub) and signs placed above it, in pairs to form a balanced composition.

Scarab Inscribed with Hieroglyphs, Steatite

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Scarab Inscribed with Hieroglyphs, Steatite
Scarab Inscribed with Hieroglyphs, Steatite
Scarab Inscribed with Hieroglyphs, Steatite
Scarab Inscribed with Hieroglyphs, Steatite

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