Scarab Inscribed with Hieroglyphs in a Scroll Border

Middle Kingdom

ca. 1802–1640 B.C.

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 protective hieroglyphs and/or scrolls. These signs are not meant to form words but are chosen for their positive, protective meaning.
This scarab shows the sign for good and beautiful (nefer), the sign of life (ankh) and the basket (nb), surrounded by a decorative border of scrolls. Middle Kingdom scroll borders enclose one or more hieroglyphs, usually including the nefer-sign.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Title: Scarab Inscribed with Hieroglyphs in a Scroll Border
Period: Middle Kingdom
Dynasty: Dynasty 13
Date: ca. 1802–1640 B.C.
Geography: From Egypt, Memphite Region, Lisht North, Cemetery, MMA excavations
Medium: Obsidian
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, 1922
Object Number: 22.1.430
Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art

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