Scarab Ring of Ruiu
Unknown Artist
ca. 1504–1447 B.C.
Medium
Steatite (glazed), silver
Dimensions
L. 1.5 cm (9/16 in.); W. 1 cm (3/8 in.); H. 0.5 cm (3/16 in.); Diam. of ring 2.5 cm (1 in.)
Classification
Ring, Ruiu, scarab, hieroglyphs
Period
New Kingdom
Department
Egyptian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1935
Accession Number
35.3.54
Tags
Art Historical Context
Step into the sunlit world of ancient Egypt with the *Scarab Ring of R*, a delicate jewel from the early New Kingdom, around 1504–1447 B.C. Crafted during Dynasty 18—a golden age of pharaohs like Thutmose I and Hatsheps—this tiny artifact measures just 1.5 cm long and is made of glazed steatite (a soapstone) mounted on a silver band. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Egyptian Art department, it exemplifies the exquisite miniature artistry of the period. Scarabs like this one were sacred symbols of the sun god Khepri and rebirth, shaped like the dung beetle rolling its ball across the...