Scarab with Papyrus Plants and Signs

Middle Kingdom

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 109

During the late Middle Kingdom (late Dynasty 12–mid Dynasty 13, ca. 1850–1640 B.C), decorations on scarabs often show symmetric designs and combinations of signs and symbols that are nicely composed.

This is also the case for floral and plant decorations, which consist of representations of papyrus plants, and lotus flowers and their buds. Plants are a popular theme on the underside of seal-amulets because they refer to life, renewal, and regeneration.

This scarab shows details in the carvings on its back and sides that are characteristic for a type of scarab dating to mid to late Dynasty 13 (ca. 1740–1640 B.C.) and probably carved at a scarab workshop active in Avaris (present-day Tell el-Dab’a).

Scarab with Papyrus Plants and Signs, Green glazed steatite

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Scarab with Papyrus Plants and Signs, Green glazed steatite
Scarab with Papyrus Plants and Signs, Green glazed steatite
Scarab with Papyrus Plants and Signs, Green glazed steatite
Scarab with Papyrus Plants and Signs, Green glazed steatite

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