Scarab Incised 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 is decorated with the signs for good and beautiful (nefer), protection (sa), and life (ankh).

Scarab Incised with Hieroglyphs, Bright blue glazed steatite

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Scarab Incised with Hieroglyphs, Bright blue glazed steatite
Scarab Incised with Hieroglyphs, Bright blue glazed steatite
Scarab Incised with Hieroglyphs, Bright blue glazed steatite
Scarab Incised with Hieroglyphs, Bright blue glazed steatite

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