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Scarab with sphinx

Late Period
664–525 BCE
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 130
The scarab’s base shows a recumbent sphinx facing to the right, wearing a royal beard and a broad collar. A sun disk is placed above his head. The sphinx holds the hes vase, the hieroglyph for praise, on his front paws. The sphinx, like the horse or the bull, is one of the animals that symbolizes the king. Above the creature’s back is the sign of life (ankh). The entire composition thus expresses praise to the Lord of Life, probably referring to the sun god (Re) given the presence of the solar disk above the sphinx.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Scarab with sphinx
  • Period: Late Period
  • Dynasty: Dynasty 26
  • Date: 664–525 BCE
  • Geography: From Egypt
  • Medium: Steatite
  • Dimensions: L. 1.1 × W. 0.8 × H. 0.5 cm (7/16 × 5/16 × 3/16 in.)
  • Credit Line: Purchase, Edward S. Harkness Gift, 1926
  • Object Number: 26.7.478
  • Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art

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