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Scarab of the Storehouse Overseer Wah

Middle Kingdom
ca. 1981–1975 B.C.
Not on view
This large silver scarab is of exceptionally fine workmanship. It was cast in several sections that were soldered together. Details on the legs, head, and wing cases and the scroll meander pattern on the base were chased. An electrum suspension tube runs through the length of the scarab and the Inlaid hieroglyphs on the scarab's wing cases are electrum, an alloy of gold and silver. Their light color renders them almost invisible unless the scarab is tarnished. The inscription on the left wing case list Wah's name and his title "overseer of the storehouse" (more broadly speaking, "estate manager"). Those on the right name his employer, the "nobleman" Meketre.

Meketre, an important official who began his career under Mentuhotep II of Dynasty 11 and continued to serve successive kings into early Dynasty 12, had an imposing tomb built in Western Thebes and Wah was buried in a small tomb nearby. Wah's burial was found intact by the Museum excavators and the entire tomb group, including the wrapped mummy, coffin, funerary offerings, and numerous linen sheets came to the Museum in the division of finds in 1920. In 1939, x-rays of Wah's mummy revealed the presence of jewelry, some made of metal, and in 1940 the mummy was unwrapped. Among the pieces of personal jewelry were three scarab and bead bracelets (this one, 40.3.13, and 40.3.14). All three were found in wrappings over the wrists of Wah's mummy.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Scarab of the Storehouse Overseer Wah
  • Period: Middle Kingdom
  • Dynasty: Dynasty 12
  • Reign: reign of Amenemhat I, early
  • Date: ca. 1981–1975 B.C.
  • Geography: From Egypt, Upper Egypt, Thebes, Southern Asasif, Tomb of Wah (MMA 1102), Mummy, over crossed wrists, MMA excavations, 1920
  • Medium: Silver, electrum, glazed steatite, linen cord
  • Dimensions: scarab: l. 3.9 cm (1 1/2 in.); w. 2.7 cm (1 1/16 in.); h. 2.5 cm (1 in.); barrel bead: l. 1.4 cm (9/16 in.); diam. 1 cm (3/8 in.); cylindrical bead: l. 1.9 cm (3/4 in.); 0.8 cm (5/16 in.)
    overall length: 43 cm (16 15/16 in)
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund and Edward S. Harkness Gift, 1940
  • Object Number: 40.3.12
  • Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art

Audio

Cover Image for 3305. Scarab Bracelet of Wah

3305. Scarab Bracelet of Wah

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