Scarab with Uraeus and Papyrus Plants

Middle Kingdom

ca. 1740–1640 B.C.

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 109

A large uraeus, its tail curled up behind him and its body decorated with fine hatched lines, dominates the design on the underside of this late Middle Kingdom scarab (late Dynasty 12–13, ca. 1850-1640 B.C.). On either side are papyrus plants, consisting of one straight and one bent stem. They are placed tête-bêche, that is upside down to each other, and parallel lines connect the stems. Plants are a popular theme on Egyptian seal-amulets because they refer to life, renewal, and regeneration, and during the Middle Kingdom they are often paired with other powerful signs. While the papyrus plants are found on seals throughout the Middle Kingdom, the large uraeus is not introduced into the repertoire of motifs until late Dynasty 12 (ca. 1850–1802 B.C.).

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Title: Scarab with Uraeus and Papyrus Plants
Period: Middle Kingdom
Dynasty: mid to late Dynasty 13
Date: ca. 1740–1640 B.C.
Geography: From Egypt, Memphite Region, Lisht North, Cemetery, MMA excavations, 1920–22
Medium: Dark green glazed steatite
Dimensions: L. 2.3 × W. 1.5 × H. 1.1 cm (7/8 × 9/16 × 7/16 in.)
Credit Line: Rogers Fund and Edward S. Harkness Gift, 1920
Object Number: 20.1.100
Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art

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