Sealing
Unknown Artist
ca. 2030–1640 B.C.
Medium
Clay (unfired)
Classification
Sealing
Period
Middle Kingdom
Department
Egyptian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund and Edward S. Harkness Gift, 1914
Accession Number
14.3.282b
Art Historical Context
Step into the bustling world of Middle Kingdom Egypt with this intriguing *Sealing*, crafted from unfired clay around 2030–1640 B.C. during Dynasties 12–13. Produced by an unknown artist, this small artifact from the Metropolitan Museum of Art Egyptian Art collection—acquired through the Rogers Fund and Edward. Harkness Gift in1914—represents everyday administrative tools vital to ancient Egyptian society. Unfired clay was ideal for these temporary impressions, pressed from cylinder seals or scarabs to secure goods, documents, or storage jars against tampering. In the Middle Kingdom, a golden...