Gold Base Plate of a Scarab of an Official
Unknown Artist
ca. 1802–1640 B.C.
Medium
Gold
Dimensions
L. 2.8 × W. 1.8 × H. 0.3 cm (1 1/8 × 11/16 × 1/8 in.)
Classification
Scarab cap (no longer on ring), base plate cover, scrolls, official private name
Period
Middle Kingdom
Department
Egyptian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1915
Accession Number
15.3.135b
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite gold base plate, dating to Egypt's Middle Kingdom (Dynasty 13, ca. 1802–1640 B.C.), once formed the underside of a scarab amulet belonging to a high-ranking official. Measuring just 2.8 cm long, this tiny masterpiece exemplifies the precision of ancient Egyptian craftsmanship. Scarabs, shaped like the sacred dung beetle, symbolized rebirth and the sun god's daily renewal, making them potent talismans worn as jewelry or used as seals. The base is finely engraved with hieroglyphs likely bearing the official's name and, which would imprint into clay for authenticating documents or...