Scarab with Horned Animal and Uraei

Second Intermediate Period

ca. 1640–1500 B.C. (late Middle Bronze Age IIB-IIC)

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 109

Canaanite scarabs of the late Middle Bronze Age (ca. 1640–1500 B.C.) frequently show scenes with a wild animal such as a lion, ibex, antelope or crocodile, or to a lesser extent with a donkey or hippo, only a few examples depict bulls. Except for the donkey and bull, these animals live in the wild and were feared as well as respected. During this period, Canaanite seal carvers decorated the interior of animals with parallel lines, or short strokes to represent their fur. It has been suggested that compositions with wild animals symbolize the successful dominance over nature and control over chaos. The animal represented on this scarab is an antelope (gazelle) or an ibex, based on its slightly curved horns. In front of and above the back of the horned animal are uraei

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Title: Scarab with Horned Animal and Uraei
Period: Second Intermediate Period
Date: ca. 1640–1500 B.C. (late Middle Bronze Age IIB-IIC)
Geography: From Egypt, Memphite Region, Lisht North, Cemetery, debris, MMA excavations, 1920–22
Medium: Steatite
Dimensions: L. 2 × W. 1.4 × H. 0.8 cm (3/4 × 9/16 × 5/16 in.)
Credit Line: Rogers Fund and Edward S. Harkness Gift, 1922
Object Number: 22.1.329
Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art

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